How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. If they occur often, 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 node, also known as SA) typically controls the 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 initiates your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. Instead, window doctor near me begins in a different area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they may also happen frequently enough to affect your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if the PVCs are triggered by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you're experiencing lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in stroke. This isn't common however it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, located in the upper right portion of the heart, and travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you only have one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heart rhythm over time to determine how many PVCs you have.
If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as a beta blocker.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if you do not have any other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
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, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias, and could be utilized in the event of any suspicion of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. However, if your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that could be able to manage them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle changes. You may also undergo a procedure 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 outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs can increase in frequency with age and might happen more frequently during exercise.
A physician should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other causes for the additional beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and live a normal life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means the heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions about a healthy diet, exercise 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) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.