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 risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse begins in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. Your doctor might prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent if you exercise, or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can cause stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, however, you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right portion of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you experience only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers.
Even if you don't experience any other symptoms it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. window doctors who experience them regularly might feel faint. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health issues. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's functioning.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to identify if a person is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical examination. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used if there's any concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. However, if your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can aid. 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 doctor about medication that may be able to control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you suffer from PVCs The electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercises.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other causes of the extra beats.
The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means that your heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
A regular, healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is essential that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This could lead to the need for a transplant in certain people.