How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people without causing any issues. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is controlled by a group 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 ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your physician may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should talk to your upvc doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.

Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node which is in the top right side of the heart, and move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then expand to push blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to begin the next pumping cycle. However, a Pvc doctor starts in a different place, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, located in the lower left part 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, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. But if you have a large number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine the heart's rate over the course of 24 hours. The doctor window may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time to see how many PVCs you have.

Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

If you have frequent PVCs even if do not have other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any issues. They just want to know that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who get lots of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's functioning.

A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used in the event of any suspicion of cardiac disease.

If your cardiologist determines that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or occur rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.

If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more common in people who have other heart conditions. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may be more frequent during exercises.

If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also perform 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 can be performed to find other reasons for the increased beats.

Most people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live an ordinary life. They may increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to sleep enough and manage stress. 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.

Studies of patients suffering from 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. Some patients may require an organ transplant.