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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to impact your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are triggered by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more common in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can lead to stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, may make your heart seem to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may be advised to consult your physician in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals start at the sinoatrial junction, located in the upper right portion of the heart, and descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then expand to push blood into your lungs and then return to your heart and start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC begins in a different location, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel like it skipped the beat. If you have only one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms the cardiologist will likely not be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, Aluminum Window Repair as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if there aren't any other indications however, you should have PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time, if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's functioning.
A doctor may be able to identify if a person has PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. However, sometimes they will only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for different reasons, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and they might be used when there is a concern of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak with your physician about possible medications that can control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent, they usually don't need treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may need to examine for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. They're more common among people suffering from heart disease, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more frequently during exercising.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are caused by physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI could be conducted.
Most people with PVCs do not have any issues and can lead an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and UV-resistant window repair sodium as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines, it is important that you follow your doctor's advice about eating healthy exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Certain people may require a heart transplant.