How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel to ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused by the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can happen often enough to impact your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently 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. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially the case if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid certain foods and beverages, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest 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 responsible for them. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can 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 be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure the heart's rate over a 24-hour period. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time to see how many PVCs you have.
Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, such as beta blockers.
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 signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they happen often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger them, but many athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if someone has PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may only be able to detect PVCs when they examine 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 heart disease when there is a concern.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected and frequently, your doctor might want to look for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercises.
A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are due to physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs are not affected and can lead a normal life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is essential to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. the window doctors may need a heart transplant.