How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur by the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in a different area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true 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 feeling like your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. People who experience chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid certain foods and beverages, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), 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 seem to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, where blood pumps are located. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs and then return to the heart and start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location that is the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience only just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. But if you have a number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine the heart's rate over 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you have frequent PVCs even if don't have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of 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. The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly might feel faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who get them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for different reasons, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used in the event of any suspicion of heart disease.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible treatments that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you experience them frequently or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for other heart conditions and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You could also have an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercising.
A physician should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are a result of physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beats the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI could be conducted.
Most people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can live a normal life. They may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential that you follow your doctor's advice about eating healthy exercising, as well as taking your medication.
double glazing doctor of patients suffering from an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can result in a need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.