How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial nerve, or Slider Window Repair SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine.

For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. 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 cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.

If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and stained glass window repair alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.

If you have many PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It 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, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can result in stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or flutter. These heartbeats can be harmless, but you should consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.

Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC begins at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the bottom left portion of the heart.

When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel as if it's skipping a beat or pounding. If you experience only just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.

Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which alters the way the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, for example, beta blockers.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They would like to know if irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.

A doctor may be able to tell whether someone has PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concern.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and the reduction of stress could aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your physician about the medications that could help manage them.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes them, but they're more common in people who have other heart conditions. PVCs are more frequent as we age and can occur more frequently during exercising.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other causes for the additional beats.

The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. They may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.

A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This can lead to the need for a transplant in some patients.