How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused by the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health problems. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can cause stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, however, you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node located in the top right-hand side of the heart, and descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs and then return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins at a different spot, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. The doctor may also recommend 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 heart's blood flow - must take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. Those include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they happen often enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
A doctor may be able to determine if the patient is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical exam. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining patients for a different reason, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems if there is any concern.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment required. If your symptoms are troubling or make you be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the drug decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more common in people with other heart issues. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more frequently during exercise.
A doctor should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the increased beats the heart catheterization or an MRI could be conducted.
Repair My Windows And Doors who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can lead an ordinary life. They could increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that your heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important that you follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can result in a need for a heart transplant in a few patients.