How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
the window doctor of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to affect your standard of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If you have frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen your stress by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can result in stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then expand to push blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart and start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts at a different spot 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 pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you have only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure your heartbeat over 24 hours. He or she may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor, which will record the heart's rhythm over time to determine how many PVCs you have.
Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, for example, a beta blocker.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's working.
A doctor may be able to tell whether someone is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized if there's any concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that could help control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected and frequently, your doctor might want to examine for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more often during exercise.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI could be conducted.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They may increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout the body.
A healthy and balanced diet and plenty of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow the doctor's advice regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Certain people may require a heart transplant.