How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If double glazing doctors are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat in a part known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true 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 feeling like your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain drinks and foods like alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you're experiencing lots of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may 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 signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles expand to push blood into your lungs and return to the heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location in the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you have only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to a problem with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time if they occur often enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who get them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. 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 monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a concern.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are troubling, or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the drug decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, talk to your physician about the medications that could help control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you are frequently affected and frequently, your doctor might want to check for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have an operation to rid yourself 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 that 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 frequent among those suffering from heart disease, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and may be more frequent during exercises.
A doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be conducted to determine other causes for the increased beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and live the normal life. They could increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to sleep enough and manage stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is crucial to follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. Some patients may require an organ transplant.