How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or is like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease such as 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 flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. People with chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to avoid some foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can make your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you have only just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. However, if you have large number of PVCs, the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heart rate over 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
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 an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other symptoms, you should still get PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to a problem with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time, if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
window doctor near me may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's functioning.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to tell whether a person is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes however, they might only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and they might be used when there is a concern of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that could be able to control them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or happen rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If they happen frequently your doctor may want to check for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle adjustments. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
When you have PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those with heart problems however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more frequently during exercise.
A doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical exercise. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout the body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some people may need an organ transplant.