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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure. The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel to ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart. Causes PVCs happen 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 starts in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication. For most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health issues. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially true if the PVCs are triggered by conditions 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 skipping a beat, or fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent if you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine may increase the likelihood of developing them. If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid certain foods and beverages like alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower stress by getting enough sleep and exercising. If you have many PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring 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 however it could be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician when they occur frequently or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue. The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right portion of the heart, and move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lung. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left side of the heart. When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel like it skipped one beat. If you've experienced a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heart rhythm and counts 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 - must take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat. Even if you don't experience any other symptoms it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal. Diagnosis PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's working. A doctor is often able to tell whether a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems in the event of any reason to be concerned. If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. However, if your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that could help control the symptoms. Treatment If PVCs don't cause symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you experience them frequently or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them. If you suffer from PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those with heart problems however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they could be more frequent during exercising.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body. A regular, healthy diet and a lot of exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and taking your medication. In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This could lead to a need for a heart transplant in a few individuals. |
