Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
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Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are an irregular heartbeat, that when the ventricles (lower heart chambers) send an electrical command to begin the heartbeat. These irregular heartbeats throw off the heart’s normal rhythm, making the chest feel as though it’s fluttering or skipping beats.
PVCs are common and mostly not harmful. If the patient have an existing heart problem, such as heart disease or a congenital heart defect, the chances of further complications increases.
Premature ventricular contractions are also called the following:
- Premature ventricular complexes
- Ventricular extrasystoles
- Ventricular premature beats
Premature ventricular contractions can occur without heart disease, but they normally aren’t harmful and often don’t require therapy. If the patient has an underlying heart problem or experiences very frequent or uncomfortable premature ventricular contractions, therapy may be necessary.
Symptoms
There are frequently few or no symptoms associated with premature ventricular contractions. However, PVCs can result in the following:
- Heart palpitations or fluttering
- Pounding or jumping heartbeat
- Skipped beats or missed beats
- Dizziness
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
If the patient is experiencing any signs and symptoms, then a consultation with the doctor is recommended. However, numerous other diseases and disorders, including as anxiety, anemia, hyperthyroidism, and infections, can also induce similar signs and symptoms.
Causes
PVCs are irregularly occurring contractions that begin in the ventricles rather than the atria. In most cases, the contractions occur before the anticipated next heartbeat.
Premature ventricular contractions can have a variety of causes. Cells in the lower heart chambers may become electrically unstable due to a variety of factors, such as heart conditions or physiological changes. The signals sent by the heart may be redirected as a result of cardiac disease or scarring.
Possible causes of premature ventricular contractions include:
- Heart failure or heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Electrolyte imbalances, such as low potassium or magnesium
- Medications such as decongestants and antihistamines
- Alcohol intake
- Drug abuse
- Caffeine or tobacco
- Elevated adrenaline cause by anxiety, exercise, or stress
- Disease-related heart muscle damage
Risk Factors
Premature ventricular contractions may be more common in people with the following:
- Heart conditions such as congenital heart defects, coronary artery conditions, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy
- Heart failure or heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Caffeine or tobacco
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Anxiety
- Exercise (in some certain types of PVCs)
Diagnosis
Commonly the doctor will physically assess the patient, take the medical history and lifestyle, as well as listen to the heart sound to diagnose PVCs.
To properly diagnose PVCs the following tests are recommended:
- Blood test: measure your thyroid hormone and potassium levels.
- Cardiac MRI or CT scan: analyze the structure, performance, and blood flow of the heart.
- Coronary angiogram: show the blood vessels in the heart, and can be used to spot blood flow problems such blocked or constricted blood vessels.
- ECG or EKG: a rapid and painless examination to monitor the electrical activity of the heart that can identify the source and pattern of the additional beats. Electrodes are applied to the arms, legs, and the chest in the form of sticky patches. The electrodes are connected by wires to a computer, which shows if the heart is beating too quickly, too slowly, or not at all.
A typical ECG could miss PVCs if they don’t occur frequently. Your doctor could advise you to use a portable ECG machine at home to record more details about your heartbeats. These portable ECG are as follows:
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- Holter monitor: To record the heart’s activity during regular activities, this portable ECG can be worn for up to a day. A few personal gadgets, such as smartwatches, provide portable ECG monitoring.
- Event monitor: This portable ECG is designed to be used for up to 30 days or until the patient experience an arrhythmia or symptoms. Whenever symptoms appear, patient typically click a button although some monitors immediately detect the abnormal heartbeats and begin recording.
- Cardiac stress test: An exercise stress measures the heart rate and blood flow of the heart. This test frequently involves using a treadmill or a stationary cycle while having an ECG taken. To find out if exercise causes the PVCs to activate.
Treatment
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are irregular heartbeats that usually don’t require therapy in people without cardiac disease. If you have heart disease (arrhythmias), PVCs can result in more severe heart rhythm problems. The underlying reason determines the course of treatment.
Lifestyle changes
Caffeine and cigarettes are two frequent PVC causes that can be avoided to diminish symptoms.
Managing the stress level and anxiety by developing coping mechanisms such as therapy or meditation and having at least 7 hours of sleep. Also consuming a balanced diet with whole grain, fruits, and vegetables to promote a healthy heart. Routine exercise, which might include stretching, weight training, and cardiovascular activity.
Medications
In order to lessen the premature contractions, blood pressure medicines may be used such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. If patients experience ventricular tachycardia, an irregular heartbeat that interferes with heart function, or persistent PVCs, the doctor might also recommend drugs to manage your heart rhythm.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation
In this treatment, a medical professional threads one or more catheters through an artery, typically in the groin, and directs them to the heart. In order to prevent irregular electrical signals and restore cardiac rhythm, sensors (electrodes) on the catheter’s tip, heat (radiofrequency) radiation is used to generate microscopic scars in the heart.
