How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they can be frequent enough to affect your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart skipping a beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen your stress levels by taking enough rest and exercising.
If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can lead to stroke. Repair My Windows And Doors is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel like it skipped the 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 and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track the heart's rhythm over time to see how many PVCs you have.
If you've had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood -and should be aware of their PVCs and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if do not have any other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate a problem with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who get them don't have any problems in their heart or health. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's working.
A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes however, they might not be aware of PVCs until they examine the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medication that could help control them.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they happen frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
When you have PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs can increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercises.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes for the extra beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can lead an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.