How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in a different area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart skipping one beat, or even fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase their risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, but you should consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and then return to your heart and start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different location that is separate from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. If you've got a number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. window doctors or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat such as a beta blocker.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if don't have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could point to problems with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel weak. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
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 a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized if there's any concern of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that may be able to manage the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to check for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
If you have PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs are more likely to occur 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 suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other reasons for the increased beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and live the normal life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, 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. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines it is important to follow the doctor's advice regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from 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. This could lead to the need for a transplant in some individuals.