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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people without causing any issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to impact your quality of life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Regular PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially when the PVCs are triggered by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering could be more evident if you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce stress by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that cause them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lung. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
People who have suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the heart's blood flow - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat like a beta blocker.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if you do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular can be a sign of an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who experience them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's working.
A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes however, they might not be aware of PVCs until they examine the patient for another reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias, and could be utilized if there's any concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If click to read are bothersome, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor about medication options to treat them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from 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-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not known what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercises.
A doctor should conduct an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be performed to find other causes of the increased beats.
The majority of people with PVCs do not have any issues and live the normal life. They may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. So if you take one of these medications, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require an organ transplant.