How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by many people without causing any problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically initiates your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse begins in a different part of your heart, the ventricles, and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it's fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to affect your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to avoid certain drinks and foods like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can lead to stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into your lungs and then return to your heart to start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC begins in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel like it skipped a beat. If you experience only just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. If you've got a lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heart rate over a 24-hour period. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood -and should be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as a beta blocker.
If you have frequent PVCs even if you don't have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They want to know if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. They can also happen with training, even though many athletes who get them don't have issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's working.
A doctor can often tell whether a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease when there is a concern.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, consult your physician about the medications that could help control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to examine for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
If you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. It's unclear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may occur 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. window doctor near me will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other causes for the increased beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. They may increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medications can increase your risk of getting PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines, it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and 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. Some patients may require an organ transplant.