5 Pvc Doctor Lessons From The Pros
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people without causing any problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a group of nerve fibers situated in the upper right part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can cause heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the risk of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can result in stroke. This is rare but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart seem to flutter or skip a beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into your lungs and then return to your heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When repairmywindowsanddoors occur, the heart may feel like it is racing or pounding. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps bloodand should be aware of their PVCs and talk to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. Those include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and observe how it's functioning.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems if there is any concern.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible treatments that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may need to examine for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. It's not known what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercises.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are a result of physical activity. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or an MRI could be conducted.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and can live a normal life. They could increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen 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 your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also important. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential that you follow your doctor's advice regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require an organ transplant.