Ten Things Everyone Misunderstands About Pvc Doctor
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually starts your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse begins in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly when the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart beating a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise, or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid certain drinks and foods like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you have many PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can cause stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart seem to skip or flutter a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you might need to see your doctor if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC begins at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time to determine how many PVCs you have.
the window doctor who have suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat like a beta blocker.
Even if you don't have any other indications it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to a problem with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions, and over time, if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's functioning.
A doctor is often able to tell whether a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their 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 monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias, and could be utilized when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that may be able to reduce them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more frequently during exercising.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are due to physical activity. To find out if there are other causes for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI could be conducted.
Most people with PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live an ordinary life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also important. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. So if you take one of these medications it's crucial to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Certain people may require an organ transplant.