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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. However, if they happen 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 nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also 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 occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medicine.

In most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially when the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.

PVCs can trigger symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart racing an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent if you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels by having enough sleep and working out.

If you have many PVCs Your doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can result in stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician 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 upper right side of the heart. These signals descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A pvc doctor begins in a different place, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you've experienced a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. However, if you have large number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heartbeat over 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.

Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects how the heart pumps blood- should take their PVCs seriously and speak with a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any problems. They want to know if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who experience them don't have any problems in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.

Most of the time, a doctor will be able to tell whether the patient has PVCs from a history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease when there is a reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling, or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and decreasing stress can help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor windows about possible treatments that could help control these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle modifications. You may also undergo a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. It's not clear what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercising.

A physician should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be done to look for other reasons for the extra beats.

The majority of people with PVCs are not affected and can lead the normal life. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.

A healthy and balanced diet and plenty of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. It is also important to sleep enough and manage stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication.

Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need an organ transplant.