How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any issues. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.

The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) doesn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, Stained glass Window repair but they may be frequent enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Regular PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more common in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you're experiencing lots of PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In some instances, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to skip or flutter a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you might want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms like 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, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs and return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC starts in a different location, from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped the beat. If you have only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. But if you have a large number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, tailored window Repair also known as an ECG to determine your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.

If you've had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects how the heart pumps blood -- should be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, like beta blockers.

If you have frequent PVCs even if you do not have other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to problems with the structure of your heart or other health issues 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 would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. People who get lots of them may feel they're going to faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and observe how it's functioning.

A doctor is often able to tell if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will not be aware of them until they examine the patient for different reasons, like after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease in the event of any concerns.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible treatments that could help control them.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you suffer from PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more common in people with other heart conditions. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and could be more frequent during exercises.

A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out if there are other causes for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.

The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. They can increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout the 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 caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential to follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating, exercising, and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of the total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This can lead to the need for a transplant in some individuals.