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A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for 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 lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can cause heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you're experiencing lots of PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip a beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right portion of the heart, and descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different location that is separate from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs happen, the heart may feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine the heart's rate over a 24-hour period. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track the heart's rhythm over time to see how many PVCs you have.
Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as beta blockers.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could point to a problem with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time, if they occur often enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. They can also occur with exercising, but most 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 patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's functioning.
A doctor can often tell the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems if there is 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 cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and decreasing stress can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, speak to your physician about the medications that may be able to reduce the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercise.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other causes of the extra beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can lead the normal life. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems, 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.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. Certain people may require an organ transplant.