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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for concern. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure. A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to lower heart chambers or ventricles. Causes PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they can be frequent enough to impact your quality of living. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication. For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure. The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk. If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress by taking enough rest and working out. If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This is done 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 some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can cause stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening. Symptoms Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness. Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into the lungs, and return to the heart and start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different place, from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart. When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you have only just a few episodes and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not be able to treat you. However, if you have large number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have. Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Diagnosis PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who get them don't have any problems in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart. Often, a doctor will be able to determine if a person has PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. However, sometimes they will only notice them while examining the patient for different reasons, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease if there is any concern. If your cardiologist determines that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that could help reduce these symptoms. Treatment If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them. If you have PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. They're more common among people suffering from heart disease, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and may be more frequent during exercise. A physician should perform an ECG along with 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 in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beats an invasive heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed. Most people with PVCs don't experience any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. They can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these medications it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication. Studies of patients with a high burden 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 individuals. |
