How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) usually controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) doesn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. window doctors may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly when the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart beating an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If you have frequent PVCs, your physician may suggest that you stay away from certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower stress by having enough sleep and working out.
If you have many PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but you should talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. A PVC begins at a different spot, the Purkinje fibers are located in the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you only have a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. However, if you have large number of PVCs, the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heart rate over 24 hours. They might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, for example, beta blockers.
Even if you don't have any other signs however, you should have PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen often. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them have no heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's working.
A doctor may be able to identify if a person is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems when there is a reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that could help control them.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more common in people with other heart issues. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercising.
A doctor should conduct an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are due to physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the increased beats the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They could increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk for PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Certain people may require an organ transplant.