How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) doesn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and cause no symptoms, or they can happen often enough to affect your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Regular PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you're suffering from many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can result in stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip a beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you might want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you notice symptoms like 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, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles expand to push the blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts at a different spot that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, located in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.
People who have suffered an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects heart's blood flow - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. These include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have any other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel faint. Exercise can trigger them, but many athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's working.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if the patient is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical exam. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used when there is a concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could be able to reduce 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 check for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. They're more common among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercising.
A doctor should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are due to physical activity. repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk , cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be conducted to determine other causes of the additional beats.
Most people with PVCs do not suffer from any problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. They could increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and plenty of exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important to follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can result in the need for a transplant in a few individuals.