How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people without causing any issues. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically regulates your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to affect your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Regular PVCs, however, can weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you experience occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain drinks and foods like alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower stress by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you're suffering from lots of PVCs The doctor may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In some instances it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the top right side of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. 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, they cause the heart beat or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you've experienced only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have many PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
If you've had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps bloodand should be aware of their PVCs and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat like a beta blocker.
Even if there aren't any other symptoms however, you should have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them regularly might feel faint. They can also occur with training, even though many athletes who experience them don't have any problems with their heart or health. Repair My Windows And Doors may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's functioning.
A doctor is often able to tell whether a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only be able to detect PVCs when they examine a patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease when there is a reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and decreasing stress can help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor about medication options to treat the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or occur rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you have them often, your doctor may want to examine for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. They're more common among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs can increase in frequency as we age and can occur more frequently during exercises.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be performed to find other causes of the extra beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. They could increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough rest and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow your doctor's advice regarding eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Certain people may require an organ transplant.