How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. If they occur regularly, 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) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically initiates your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) isn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart-related condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.

PVCs can trigger symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart skipping one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases, the window doctors it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can cause stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you might want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.

Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right side of the heart, and move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. However, if you have large number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge your heartbeat over 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.

Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects the way that the heart pumps bloodand must be aware of their PVCs and talk to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as beta blockers.

If you experience frequent PVCs even if do not have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. But most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They would like to know if irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who get lots of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and see how it's functioning.

A doctor may be able to identify if a person has PVCs from a patient's history and physical examination. However, sometimes they will only notice them while examining the patient for different reasons, like after 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 that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and the reduction of stress could aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about possible medications that can control these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.

If you have PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right part 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 suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercising.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs the doctor is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are a result of physical activity. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beats an invasive heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI could be conducted.

Most people with PVCs do not have any issues and can lead the normal life. They could increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.

A healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to sleep enough and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these drugs it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients with high pvc doctor [This Webpage] burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This can result in the need for a transplant in a few patients.