How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by many people without causing any problems. If window doctor are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls the 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 begins your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. Instead, the impulse starts in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they may occur frequently enough to affect your standard of life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Regular PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain drinks and foods like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can result in stroke. This isn't common but it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different place, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. However, if you have lot of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure the heart's rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as beta blockers.
If you have frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could point to a problem with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They just want to know that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who experience them do not have any issues with their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor can often tell whether a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only be able to detect PVCs when they examine patients for a different reason, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a concerns.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and the reduction of stress could help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could be able to manage them.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you experience them frequently or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people with other heart conditions. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercising.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are due to physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and live the normal life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout the body.
A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you're taking one of these medications, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some people may need an organ transplant.