How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health issues. A lot of PVCs, however, can weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are triggered by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable if you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you have many PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may need to see your doctor if they are frequent or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to pump blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins at a different spot that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may appear to be beating faster or slower. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other symptoms, you should still get PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular can be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions, and over time, if they occur often enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any issues. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will not be aware of them until they examine the patient for different reasons, like 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 reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If door and window doctor are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and the reduction of stress could aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that may be able to reduce the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may need to examine for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle changes. You might also get an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
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 could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they could 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. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical exercise. To determine if there are other causes for the extra beats the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and can lead a normal life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you're taking one of these medicines it's crucial to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require an organ transplant.