How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) isn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they could occur frequently enough to affect your quality of living. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health issues. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing an beat, or fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent if you exercise, or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. People who experience chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower stress by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can lead to a stroke. This is rare but it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node which is in the top right side of the heart, and move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different location, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped the beat. If window doctors near me Repair My Windows And Doors experience only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs, the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine the heart's rate over the course of 24 hours. They might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track the heart's rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.
People who have suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other symptoms it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who experience them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's working.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as the reduction of stress could 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 extreme, talk to your doctor about possible medications that can control them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If they happen frequently your doctor may need to examine for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. It's not known what causes them, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs may increase in frequency as we age and can occur more frequently during exercise.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the increased beats an invasive heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and 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 rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to a need for a heart transplant in some patients.