How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel to lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They may occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they can be frequent enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially when the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart racing a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise, or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce stress by having enough sleep and working out.
If you have many PVCs, your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could cause a stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may need to see your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped one beat. 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 and your doctor might suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.
Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing 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 symptoms it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any issues. They are interested in knowing if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them often may feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's functioning.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if a person has PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgical procedure. window doctor near me can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect heart disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and the reduction of stress could aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible treatments that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If you experience them frequently or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more frequent in those with other heart issues. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercising.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical activity. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can lead an ordinary life. They could increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and plenty of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk for PVCs. If you're taking one of these medicines, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some patients may require a heart transplant.