Pvc Doctor: Myths And Facts Behind Pvc Doctor
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could occur frequently enough to affect your standard of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can cause heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. People with chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs, and some medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the chance of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your physician may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that cause them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart to begin the next pumping cycle. A PVC starts in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped one beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. But if you have a number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you have frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly might feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used when there is a concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medications that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might need to examine for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people who suffer from heart issues, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they could be more frequent during exercises.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor may also conduct 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 studies can be conducted to determine other causes for the extra beats.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and can lead the normal life. They may increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also important. window doctor can increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential to follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in certain people.