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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by many people without causing any issues. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and Bay Window repair ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

In most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase their risk.

If you have occasional PVCs, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen your stress by having enough sleep and exercising.

If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In certain 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 contracts PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

Normally, electrical signals start at the sinoatrial junction, located in the top right-hand side of the heart. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into the lungs, and return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC starts in a different location, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel like it skipped the beat. If you have only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor, which will record the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.

People who have suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. But most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They are interested in knowing if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.

A doctor may be able to identify if a person has PVCs from a patient's history and Insulated Window Repair physical examination. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concern.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that could be able to manage the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to look for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.

If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs can increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercising.

If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are due to physical activity. To determine if there are other causes for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or cardiac MRI is possible.

Most people with PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They can increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through 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 caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it is important to follow the doctor's advice regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can result in the need for a heart transplant in certain people.