How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs and have no issues. 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 known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse begins in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to impact your quality of living. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs result from conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart racing one beat, or even fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen stress by getting enough sleep and working out.
If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can cause stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can make your heart appear to skip or flutter the beat. window doctors near me that are not normal can be harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician when they occur frequently or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart and start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel like it skipped one beat. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects how the heart pumps blood- should take their PVCs seriously and talk to a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, for example, beta blockers.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have any other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who experience them do not have any issues with their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to identify if a person is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect cardiac disease if there is any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and decreasing stress can aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your physician about the medications that may be able to reduce these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or occur rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
When you have PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and could be more frequent during exercising.
A doctor should conduct an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other reasons for the increased beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can lead a normal life. They could increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some instances, this means the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting 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 total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Certain people may require an organ transplant.