How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.

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

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.

PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping a beat, vintage window repair or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.

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

If you're suffering from lots of PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contracts, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you might need to see your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial, 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 force blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different place in the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel like it skipped one beat. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, Vintage Window Repair reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, for example, a beta blocker.

If you experience frequent PVCs even if don't have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they happen often enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who experience them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.

Often, a doctor will be able to tell whether someone has PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. However, sometimes they will only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used when there is a concern of heart disease.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. However, if your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor about treatments that could help control them.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle modifications. You may 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 other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people who suffer from heart issues, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, custom window repair and they could be more frequent during exercising.

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 conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other reasons for the increased beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.

A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is essential that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.

Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.