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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that typically initiates your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they could occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain beverages or foods. People who experience chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If window doctor near me are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen your stress by getting enough sleep and working out.
If you're experiencing many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can cause stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These heartbeats can be harmless, but you should consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different place, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel like it skipped the beat. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heartbeat over 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
If you've suffered a heart attack in the past 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. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing 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 checked by a cardiologist if they happen often. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, it could 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 may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who experience them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's working.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect heart disease if there is any concern.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or make you be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that may be able to manage the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle adjustments. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins 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 a beat or has a few extra beats. It's not known what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and could be more frequent during exercise.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other reasons for the increased beats.
The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. It is also important to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is essential that you follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.