How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any issues. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse begins in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen stress by taking enough rest and working out.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can lead to stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals start at the sinoatrial junction, located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. These signals descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. But upvc doctor starts in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs happen, the heart may feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
People who have had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which affects how the heart pumps blood must be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. Those include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats can point to problems with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time when they are frequent enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any issues. They would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to determine if a person has PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect heart disease in the event of any concerns.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that may be able to control them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to examine for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercising.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs the doctor is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are a result of physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other reasons for the additional beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live an ordinary life. However, they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also important. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important that you follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to the need for a heart transplant in a few patients.