How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of 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 travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or is like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. 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 signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If repairmywindowsanddoors are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid certain foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next pumping cycle. A PVC begins in a different place, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have only just a few episodes and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heartbeat over 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the heart's blood flow - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, like a beta blocker.
If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They just want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who get them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's working.
A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason such as following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and they might be used when there is a concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about possible medications that can control them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has additional beats. They're more common among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercise.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are a result of physical exercise. To determine if there are other causes for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.
The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential that you follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require an organ transplant.