How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen by the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially true if the PVCs result from conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can cause heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart skipping a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. People with 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 are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain drinks and foods like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by getting enough sleep and working out.
If you're suffering from lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can lead to stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin 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, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and return to the heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different place, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may feel as if it's beating faster or slower. If you only have a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered previously from a 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 changes. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if 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. However, most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to tell whether a person is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. Sometimes however, they might not be aware of PVCs until they examine the patient for another reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized in the event of any suspicion of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If window doctors near me continue or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to check for other heart conditions and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more often during exercises.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs the doctor is required to 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 whether the additional beats are a result of physical exercise. To determine if there are other causes for the increased beats, a heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI is possible.
The majority of people with PVCs are not affected and can live an ordinary life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is essential to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating, exercising, and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. Some patients may require an organ transplant.