How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to affect your quality of living. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially when the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating one beat, or even fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more evident if you exercise, or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your physician may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. This procedure is performed by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can cause stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, but it is important to consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles contract to push the blood into the lung. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a pvc Doctor starts in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, the heart may appear to be beating faster or slower. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, the window doctors upvc doctor probably won't be able to treat you. But if you have a number of PVCs the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge the heart's rate over a 24-hour period. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that alters the way the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and talk to a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you have frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate a problem with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease when there is a concerns.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak with your physician about possible medication options to treat them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You might also get a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercising.
A door doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other causes of the extra beats.
Most people with PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is crucial to follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This can result in the need for a transplant in some people.