Notes

What Experts In The Field Would Like You To Know?
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 the risk of heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or is like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.

window doctor are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart racing one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent if you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more common in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase their risk.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In some instances it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip a beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, located in the top right portion of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC starts at a different spot, from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may appear to be racing or pounding. If you experience only a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

If you've had a previous heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

Even if you don't experience any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who get them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.

A doctor may be able to identify if the patient is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. However, sometimes they will not be aware of them until they examine the patient for different reasons, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that could help control the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You may also undergo 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-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and could be more frequent during exercises.

A physician should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out if there are other causes for the extra beats the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.

Most people with PVCs do not experience any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.


Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is essential to follow the advice of your doctor about 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 incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need a heart transplant.

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