How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people with no cause for concern. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand 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 are caused when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) isn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or commercial window repair fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease. Regular PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. People with chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine may increase the likelihood of developing them.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.

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 generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In some instances it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could cause a stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

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

Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, Insulated Window Repair which is in the top right portion of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs happen, the heart may feel like it is skipping a beat or pounding. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.

If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which alters the way the heart pumps bloodand must be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat, for example, a beta blocker.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you do not have other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, window restoration which uses ultrasound to study the heart and observe how it's functioning.

A doctor is often able to tell if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect heart disease when there is a concerns.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat them.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you have them often and frequently, your doctor might want to examine for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.

When you have PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercise.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other causes for the additional beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. They could increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout the body.

A healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines it's crucial to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.

Studies of patients who had a high burden 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 could lead to the need for a heart transplant in certain people.