How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it's fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they may also happen frequently enough to affect your standard of living. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. the glass doctor is particularly when the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise, or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase their risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen your stress by taking enough rest and exercising.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can lead to stroke. This isn't common however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to begin 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 left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you have only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience them have no heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
A doctor is often able to tell if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes however, they might only be able to detect PVCs when they examine a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to detect cardiac disease when there is a concerns.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your physician about the medications that may be able to reduce them.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle adjustments. You might also get a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs can increase in frequency as we age and can occur more frequently during exercises.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are due to physical exercise. To determine whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can lead the normal life. They could increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also important. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. So if you take one of these medications it is important to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in some individuals.