How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen by the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse is generated in another area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. A lot of PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially true if the PVCs are triggered by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident if you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to pump blood into the lung. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel like it skipped a beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. If you have many PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
People who have had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat, such as a beta blocker.
If you have frequent PVCs even if you don't have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But most people with PVCs don't experience 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 if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them often may feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor will usually be able to determine whether a patient has 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 after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease if there is any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress may aid. sneak a peek here and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that could be able to reduce them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to examine for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercises.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be done to look for other reasons for the extra beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They could increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout the body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require an organ transplant.