How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by many people without causing any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that usually initiates your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health issues. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower stress by getting 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 that are responsible for them. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. window doctor near me can be harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then expand to push blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC starts in a different place, from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel like it skipped one beat. If you've experienced only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
People who have had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which alters the way the heart pumps blood - should be aware of their PVCs and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers.
Even if you don't experience any other signs, you should still get PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These heartbeats that are irregular could indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they happen often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who get them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's working.
Often, a doctor will be able to tell whether someone is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. However, sometimes they will only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as following 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 concerns.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as the reduction of stress could aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes 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 occur rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to examine for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
When you have PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more common in people with other heart conditions. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercises.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are a result of physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other causes for the increased beats.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and can live the normal life. They could increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. It is also important to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines, it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations 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 could lead to a need for a heart transplant in a few people.