How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for concern. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your 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's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) doesn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Regular PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering could be more evident if you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen your stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you have many PVCs, your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could cause stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor when 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. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to pump blood into the lung. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts at a different spot, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.
When window doctors happen they can make the heart feel like it is racing or pounding. If you have only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heart rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.
People who have suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as a beta blocker.
If you have frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. But most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs might appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel weak. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems in their heart or health. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's functioning.
A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes however, they might only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and they might be used if there's any concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that could be able to control the symptoms.
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 need to examine for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You might also get an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more frequent among those with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs can increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercise.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other causes for the increased beats.
The majority of people with PVCs do not have any issues and can live the normal life. They could increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and manage stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is essential that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. Some people may need an organ transplant.