How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel to lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) doesn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they may also happen frequently 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.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may 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 slower or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you're experiencing many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause a stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Repair My Windows And Doors , also known as PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the top right side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to push the blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different place that is the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel as if it's racing or pounding. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. However, if you have lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heart rate over 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
People who have had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects the way that the heart pumps blood- should take their PVCs seriously and talk to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, for example, a beta blocker.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if you do not have other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time, when they are frequent enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They would like to know if irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and see how it's working.
A doctor can often tell whether a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for different reasons, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concern.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that may be able to manage the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may need to examine for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle adjustments. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. It's not known what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people with other heart conditions. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and may be more frequent during exercising.
A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be performed to find other reasons for the additional beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. They can increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require an organ transplant.