How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually initiates your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can happen often enough to impact your quality of life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Regular PVCs, however, can weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if the PVCs are caused by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase their risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but you should talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right side of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and then return to the heart to begin the next pumping cycle. But a PVC begins in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, the heart may appear to be racing or pounding. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure your heart rate over 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
People who have suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects the way that the heart pumps blood -and should be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat like a beta blocker.
Even if you don't have any other symptoms it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who experience them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's working.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for different reasons, like after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized if there's any concern of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and over the drug decongestants and the reduction of stress could aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medications that could help reduce them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to look for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercises.
A doctor should conduct an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical activity. window doctor repairmywindowsanddoors or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other causes for the extra beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can lead the normal life. However, they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower the risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you're taking one of these medicines it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require a heart transplant.