How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) usually controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat in a part known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) isn't. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to affect your standard of life. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Regular PVCs, however, can weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating a beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen stress by having enough sleep and working out.
If you're experiencing lots of PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In some instances it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can result in a stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. 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 normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into your lungs, and return to the heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel like it skipped one beat. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
If you've had previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if you don't have any other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who get lots of them may feel they're about to faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who get them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's working.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and could be utilized in the event of any suspicion of heart disease.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that may be able to reduce them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or happen rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If you have them often, your doctor may want to examine for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercises.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other reasons for the additional beats.
Most people with PVCs have no complications and can lead a normal life. They may increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur 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.
my website and a balanced diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need an organ transplant.