How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for concern. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they may also happen frequently enough to affect your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. window doctors www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk , could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. People with chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels by taking enough rest and exercising.
If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause a stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart seem to flutter or skip a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may need to see your doctor if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right-hand side of the heart, and move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles expand to pump blood into the lung. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs and your doctor might suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
If you've had an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, for example, a beta blocker.
If you have frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any issues. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly might feel faint. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who get them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
A doctor may be able to tell whether someone is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical examination. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for different reasons, like following 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 reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the drug decongestants and reducing stress may help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible treatments that could help control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may need to examine for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You might also get a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs can increase in frequency with age and might happen more frequently during exercising.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are a result of physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beats the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. They could increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some instances, this means the heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is crucial that you follow your doctor's advice about eating healthy, exercising, and taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can result in the need for a transplant in a few individuals.