How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs happen by the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the 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, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially 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.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident if you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain medications like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that cause them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can cause stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to consult your physician if you have 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 side of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location in the Purkinje fibres bundle in the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you've experienced only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge your heart rate over a 24-hour period. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heartbeat over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
If you've had an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if you don't have any other indications it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur often. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who get them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's working.
A doctor is often able to tell whether a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for different reasons, like after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used in the event of any suspicion of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could help reduce the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle changes. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those with heart problems however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercise.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. window doctor near me will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To determine whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI could be conducted.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and live a normal life. They may increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop 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 can lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating, exercising, and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This could lead to a need for a heart transplant in certain patients.