How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat in a region 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 are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly when the PVCs result from conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can cause heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase their risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some drinks and foods like alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you're suffering from lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can result in stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can make your heart appear to skip or flutter the beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as 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 move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot in the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel like it skipped a beat. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have many PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. He or she may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
If you've had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps bloodand should be aware of their PVCs and talk to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other signs, you should still get PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any problems. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel faint. They can also happen with training, even though many athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease if there is any concern.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to look for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. Repair My Windows And Doors among people who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs can increase in frequency with age and might happen more frequently during exercising.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are due to physical activity. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.
The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. They can increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that your heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is essential that you follow your doctor's recommendations about eating healthy and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in a few people.