How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for concern. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically regulates the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually initiates your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in another area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can cause heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in a stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are usually 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 area, which is located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you have only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not be able to treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heart rate over 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heartbeat over time to determine how many PVCs you have.
If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects how the heart pumps blood -and should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. Those include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also occur with exercising, but most athletes who experience them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. window doctor near me could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's working.
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 notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are causing discomfort 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, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, speak to your doctor about treatments that could help control them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you have them often, your doctor may want to check for other heart conditions and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs The electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercise.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs the doctor is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other causes of the extra beats.
Most people with PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. They can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
A regular, healthy diet and plenty of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important to follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating, exercising, and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require a heart transplant.