What Experts Say You Should Know

How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers 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 chambers of your heart or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically initiates your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they may occur frequently enough to affect your standard of life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.

For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone, tilt and turn window repair cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you have occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you have many PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, Window Screen Repair which eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This procedure is performed by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some instances it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to stroke. This isn't common but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

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

The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles expand to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have many PVCs, your doctor UV-resistant Window Repair may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heart rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.

Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which affects the way that the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and ensuring adequate sleep. 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 often. These irregular heartbeats could point to a problem with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's working.

A doctor can often tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, Window Replacement as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease in the event of any concerns.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about medications that can control these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected and frequently, your doctor might want to examine for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and may be more frequent during exercise.

A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be performed to find other causes of the additional beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. They can increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines it is important to follow the doctor's advice regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

Studies of patients suffering from an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to the need for a transplant in some people.