How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of 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's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to interfere with your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Regular PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart skipping an beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the chance of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower stress by taking enough rest and working out.
If you're suffering from lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which 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 does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some instances it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to a stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node, located in the top right portion of the heart, and move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different place in the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs happen, the heart may appear to be racing or pounding. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not 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. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
If you've had an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't have any other signs, you should still get PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's working.
A doctor will usually be able to determine whether a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. However, sometimes window doctors will only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a concerns.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that could help manage the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
When you have PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs can increase in frequency with age and might happen more frequently during exercises.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other causes for the increased beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and live an ordinary life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to sleep enough and manage stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating healthy exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require a heart transplant.