How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a wide range of people with no cause for concern. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. the window doctor begins in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they can be frequent enough to affect your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Regular PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable if you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you have occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can result in stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles expand to pump blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel like it skipped one beat. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. If you have many PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heartbeat over time to see how many PVCs you have.
People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, like a beta blocker.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who get them don't have any problems in 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 from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to identify if a person is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease if there is any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort, or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and decreasing stress can help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible treatments that could help control them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more common in people who have other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercising.
A doctor should conduct an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are due to physical activity. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beats the heart catheterization or an MRI could be conducted.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these drugs it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require a heart transplant.