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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. But if they occur frequently, 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) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles. Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue. In most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially true if the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can lead to heart failure. If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise. If you have many PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can lead to stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter the beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the top right portion of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts at a different spot that is separate from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the lower left part of the heart. When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may appear to be racing or pounding. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. However, if you have lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over time to determine the number of PVCs you have. People who have suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood- must be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal. Diagnosis PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's working. Often, a doctor will be able to identify if the patient is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes however, they might not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems when there is a concern. If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the drug decongestants and decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that may be able to reduce the symptoms. Treatment If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If you have them often and frequently, your doctor might want to look for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them. If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercise. If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs, a physician is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other causes for the additional beats. The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They can increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has trouble pumping blood throughout your body. A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you're taking one of these medications, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication. Studies of patients suffering from a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require an organ transplant. |
