How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have 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 upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) usually controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. window doctor starts in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they may occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping a beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable if you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase their risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you're suffering from lots of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some instances it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles contract to push the blood into the lung. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may feel as if it's racing or pounding. If you only have one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, for example, a beta blocker.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they happen often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not have any problems. They want to know if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who experience them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and see how it's working.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if a person has PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. However, sometimes they will only notice them while examining the patient for different reasons, like after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect cardiac disease if there is any concern.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the drug decongestants and decreasing stress can help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medication options to treat these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent, they usually don't need treatment. If you have them often and frequently, your doctor might want to examine for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those with heart problems however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more often during exercises.
A physician should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other causes of the extra beats.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and can live a normal life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. 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 healthy diet can lower your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough rest and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is crucial that you follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require an organ transplant.