How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy 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 breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages like alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you're experiencing lots of PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right side of the heart. These signals descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into your lungs and return to the heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records your heart rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.
If you've had an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat, for example, a beta blocker.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if you do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any issues. They are interested in knowing if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them often might feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. window doctors near me can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's working.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease in the event of any concern.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, talk to your doctor about medications that may be able to manage the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they could be more frequent during exercises.
A doctor should conduct an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other reasons for the increased beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can lead a normal life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower the risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also important. Certain medications can increase your risk for 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 suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require an organ transplant.