15 Shocking Facts About Pvc Doctor That You Didn't Know About
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of nerve fibers situated in the upper right corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen by the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially the case if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks like caffeine and alcohol. repairmywindowsanddoors can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In some instances it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to a stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node which is in the top right-hand side of the heart, and travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into your lungs and return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC starts at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, the heart may appear to be racing or pounding. If you have only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
People who have had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which affects the way that the heart pumps blood -- should be aware of their PVCs and talk to a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you do not have other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not have any issues. They just want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience these symptoms do not have 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 may also perform an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's working.
A doctor is often able to tell whether a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes however, they might 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, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease in the event of any concerns.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your physician about the medications that could help reduce these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you have them often, your doctor may want to look for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. It's not known what causes these, but they're more common in people with other heart issues. PVCs may increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercise.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or cardiac MRI is possible.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require a heart transplant.