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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. If they occur regularly, 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, or SA, node) typically controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. Instead, the impulse begins in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it's fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially when the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart beating one beat, or even fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering could 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 certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you're suffering from lots of PVCs The doctor may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause a stroke. It is not common, 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 the beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, however, you should consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, located in the top right side of the heart, and travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side 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 cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge your heart rate over 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and getting enough sleep. upvc window doctor near me may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other symptoms however, you should have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These irregular heartbeats could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when 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 have no heart or health issues. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
A doctor can often tell the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized if there's any concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible treatments that could help control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might need to examine for heart issues 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 is generated from a place different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. They're more common among people suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more frequently during exercising.
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 may also perform an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are caused by physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
A regular, healthy diet and plenty of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. It is also important to get enough rest and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications, it is important to follow your doctor's advice about eating healthy, exercising, and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require a heart transplant.