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 are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse begins in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health problems. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if the PVCs result from conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can cause heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident if you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If window doctors near me repairmywindowsanddoors experience occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce stress by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as 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 other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the top right-hand side of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to pump blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped one beat. If you experience only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
If you've had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, 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 any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They are interested in knowing if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them often might feel faint. They can also occur with exercising, but most athletes who get them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor may be able to identify if a person has PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease when there is a concern.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may aid. 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 extreme, talk to your doctor about medications that can control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If you experience them frequently or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you suffer from PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people with other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercises.
A doctor should conduct an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are due to physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI could be conducted.
Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can live a normal life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines it is important to follow the doctor's advice about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to the need for a transplant in certain individuals.