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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) usually controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can happen often enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen your stress levels by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that cause them. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In some instances it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in a stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node located in the top right side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart and start the next cycle of pumping. A pvc doctor (articlescad.Com) begins at a different spot, the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel like it skipped one beat. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge the heart's rate over the course of 24 hours. He or she may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heartbeat over time to see how many PVCs you have.
Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects the way that the heart pumps blood must be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used when there is a concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, The Window Doctor near me staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, consult your physician about the medications that could be able to manage these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. It's not known what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart conditions. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and could be more frequent during exercises.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. To determine whether there are any other causes for the increased beats the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI can be performed.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can lead an ordinary life. They may increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it's crucial to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Certain people may require an organ transplant.
