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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart Many people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure. A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to interfere with your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue. PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly when the PVCs are triggered by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure. PVCs can cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable if you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. People with chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the likelihood of developing them. If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise. If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can cause stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening. Symptoms Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart seem to skip or flutter the beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, however, you should consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness. Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into the lungs, and then return to your heart to begin the next pumping cycle. A PVC begins in a different place, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart. When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel like it skipped one beat. If you have only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record the heart's rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have. If you've had an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. Those include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as beta blockers. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal. Diagnosis PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to study the heart and observe how it's functioning. If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible treatments that could help control the symptoms. Treatment If PVCs don't cause symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle modifications. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation). If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart issues. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercises. If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beats an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed. The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can live the normal life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body. A healthy and balanced diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you're taking one of these medications it's crucial to follow the doctor's advice regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication. In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some people may need an organ transplant. |
