How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand 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) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of living. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may 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 might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen your stress levels by having enough sleep and working out.
If you have many PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In some instances, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles then contract to pump 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 in the Purkinje fibres bundle in the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you've experienced only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered a heart attack in the past or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that alters the way the heart pumps blood - must be aware of their PVCs and talk to a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other signs however, you should have PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. They can also occur with exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
window doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used in the event of any suspicion of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medications that can control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may need to examine for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercising.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are due to physical activity. To find out if there are other causes for the increased beats, a heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI could be conducted.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They could increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to the need for a transplant in some patients.