How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the risk of developing them.
If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen stress by taking enough rest and exercising.
If you're experiencing lots of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can result in stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter the beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart, and travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into your lungs and then return to your heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot in the Purkinje fibers are located in the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs occur they can make the heart feel like it is racing or pounding. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
People who have had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood- should be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time when they are frequent enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues with their heart or health. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to identify if someone has PVCs from a history and physical exam. Sometimes it is possible that they only be able to detect PVCs when they examine the patient for another reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and they might be used when there is a concern of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about medications that can control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you have them often and frequently, your doctor might want to look for other heart conditions and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs are more frequent as we age and can occur more often during exercise.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other reasons for the additional beats.
Most people with PVCs have no complications and live an ordinary life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that your heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood throughout your body.
windows doctor repairmywindowsanddoors and balanced diet and plenty of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is crucial that you follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.
