How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically regulates the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially when the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart beating one beat, or even fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more noticeable if you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that cause 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 recurring in the future. In some instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in a 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 flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the upper right portion of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles expand to pump blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts at a different spot, from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel like it skipped the beat. If the window doctor have only a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If you've got a number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heart rate over a 24-hour period. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
People who have had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which affects the way that the heart pumps blood -and must be aware of their PVCs and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes 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 are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not have any problems. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they're frequent or intense. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also occur with training, even though many athletes who get them don't have any problems in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to determine if a person has PVCs from a history and physical exam. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease if there is any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak with your physician about possible medications that can control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere 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, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they could be more frequent during exercising.
A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be conducted to determine other reasons for the additional beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can live an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.