How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen by the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse begins in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can happen often enough to impact your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly when the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the chance of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your physician may suggest that you stay away from certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you have many PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring 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. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can make your heart appear to flutter or skip a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles expand to push blood into the lungs, and then return to your heart to begin the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC starts in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion 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 a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not treat you. However, if you have lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure your 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 a previous heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, for example, a beta blocker.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time when they are frequent enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who experience them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's functioning.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to detect cardiac disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or make you 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 window doctor near me persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medications that can control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle modifications. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. It's not known what causes them, 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 exercising.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs doctors should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are a result of physical activity. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They can increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that your heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
A regular, healthy diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you're taking one of these medicines it's crucial 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 risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in some people.