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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 usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower heart chambers or ventricles. PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which may lead to symptomatic heart failure. The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more evident if you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase their risk. If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower your stress by getting enough sleep and working out. If you have many PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), 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 extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue. Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to pump blood into the lungs. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins at a different spot, from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that alters the way the heart pumps blood - should be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat, like beta blockers. Even if you don't have any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, when they are frequent enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They want to know if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal. Diagnosis PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who experience them have no heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's working. A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes however, they might not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems if there is any concerns. If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medication options to treat these symptoms. Treatment If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you have them often and frequently, your doctor might want to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them. When you have PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercises. If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical exercise. To find out if there are other causes for the extra beatings an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase your risk of having 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 trouble pumping blood throughout your body. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to get enough rest and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these medications, it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication. In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some people may need a heart transplant. |
