Having frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or certain patterns of them might increase the risk of developing irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy). Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better outcomes such as stroke prevention, prevention of clot formation as well as heart attack prevention.
Some common causes include:
- Reduced blood flow to your heart for any reason.
- Acute heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Cardiomyopathy.
- Heart failure.
- Electrolyte problems, such as low magnesium or potassium levels.
- Increased adrenaline, such as from stress or anxiety
Typically patients describe the sensation of a PVC or arrhythmia as if their heart feels irregular and at times you may experience fatigue, anxiety, fear, light-headedness or sleepiness. Some PVCs are benign especially if a patient remains hemodynamically stable (normal blood pressure and heart rate).
Other External Factors that may cause or exacerbate PVCs include:
- Certain medications, including decongestants and antihistamines.
- Alcohol or drug misuse.
- Stimulants such as caffeine or tobacco.
- Increased levels of adrenaline in the body due to exercise or anxiety.
- Injury to the heart muscle due to disease
How are PVCs and other arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation diagnosed?
PVCs can be difficult to diagnose because they occur at unpredictable intervals. In most cases, PVCs are difficult for the physician to detect during a routine physical unless the patient has one during the exam or has other signs of structural heart problems. In individuals without any known heart disease, PVCs often are discovered incidentally during a routine electrocardiogram (EKG) In patients with known heart disease, PVCs may be detected during other diagnostic testing for that condition.
A patient with symptoms of PVCs who consults a physician will undergo an ECG, the standard test for diagnosing PVCs. It is relatively inexpensive, non-invasive and accurate.
Alternatively, A Holter monitor, a portable ECG that provides 24 or 48 hours of continuous recording, may be used for patients who experience PVCs at least once a day. The information from a Holter monitor is very useful in determining the frequency of PVCs and correlating symptoms such as faintness or dizziness with the arrhythmia.
The American College of Cardiology recommends exercise testing – measuring the heart rate while the patient walks on a treadmill – for some patients with PVCs diagnosed by ECG.
Other adjuvant testing for PVCs include: cardiac MRI, cardiac CT, myocardial perfusion SPECT, coronary angiography or electrophysiology testing
If you are experiencing any type of irregular heart beat it is essential to follow-up with your primary care physician. At Bella Terra Primary care we take these situations seriously and are able to see you if needed the same day.
