How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
window doctor near me of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically regulates the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) isn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly when the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid some foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can make your heart appear to flutter or skip a beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node 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 the blood into your lungs and return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. A PVC starts at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you only have a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not be able to treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
If you've had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps blood -and should be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, like a beta blocker.
Even if there aren't any other indications, you should still get PVCs examined by an expert in cardiology if they occur frequently. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly may feel weak. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs could show up in tests such as 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 for examining the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if the patient has PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used in the event of any suspicion of heart disease.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, talk to your physician about the medications that may be able to control them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you are frequently affected and frequently, your doctor might want to look for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may be more frequent during exercising.
A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are a result of physical activity. To determine if there are other causes for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or cardiac MRI is possible.
Most people with PVCs don't experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and manage stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications, it is important that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had 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. Some patients may require an organ transplant.