How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs occur by the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart, the ventricles, and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. window doctor near me may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to affect your standard of living. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart skipping an beat, or fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by taking enough rest and working out.
If you have a lot of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can cause stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart appear to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor if they are frequent 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 corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.
People who have suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if there aren't any other indications however, you should have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they happen often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. But most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who get them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's functioning.
A doctor is often able to tell if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine the patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and could be utilized in the event of any suspicion of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could be able to reduce these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
If you have PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. They're more common among people suffering from heart disease, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercising.
A physician should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are a result of physical exercise. To find out whether there are any other causes for the increased beats the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and can lead an ordinary life. They could increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also important. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating healthy and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had an excessive 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. Certain people may require an organ transplant.