How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If the window doctor are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused by the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. 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 can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase their risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart seem to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the top right portion of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles expand to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may appear to be racing or pounding. If you only have one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. He or she may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.
If you've had a previous heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as a beta blocker.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if you don't have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They just want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used if there's any concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise and 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 physician about the medications that may be able to manage these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If they happen frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You may also undergo an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
When you have PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs can increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercise.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings an invasive heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.
A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in a few individuals.