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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people without causing any problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure. A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically regulates your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles. Causes PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if the PVCs result from conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to heart failure. PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating one beat, or even 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 beverages. People who experience chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them. If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by having enough sleep and working out. If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and then return to your heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot in the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart. When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped the beat. If you only have a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If you've got a lot of PVCs and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. He or she may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heartbeat over time to determine the number of PVCs you have. If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like a beta blocker. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have any other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats can indicate problems with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, when they are frequent enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical. Diagnosis PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel faint. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who experience them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's working. Often, a doctor will be able to determine if the patient is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems if there is any concern. If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are troubling, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your physician about the medications that may be able to manage these symptoms. Treatment If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to examine for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation). If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and could be more frequent during exercises. If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other causes for the additional beats. The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. They may increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body. A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough rest and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential to follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking your medication. |
