How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) usually controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to interfere with your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you have lots of PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. window doctors near me are the ones who execute this procedure. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can result in stroke. This is rare but it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, however, you should consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or symptoms 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 move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles contract to push the blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different location, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, the heart may feel as if it's beating faster or slower. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge the heart's rate over a 24-hour period. They might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
If you've had an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat such as a beta blocker.
Even if you don't experience any other indications, you should still get PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen often. These extra heartbeats can indicate problems with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience them have no heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to tell whether a person has PVCs from a patient's history and physical examination. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining patients for a different reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to detect cardiac disease when there is a concern.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling, or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the drug decongestants and the reduction of stress could help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, consult your physician about the medications that could be able to control them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to examine for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and may be more frequent during exercise.
A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be performed to find other causes of the increased beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They may increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of the total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This can result in the need for a transplant in some people.
