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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for concern. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically regulates your heart rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to affect your standard of life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause a stroke. This isn't common but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, however, you should consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start at the sinoatrial junction, located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to begin the next pumping cycle. A PVC starts at a different spot in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may feel like it is skipping a beat or pounding. If you experience only one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms the cardiologist will likely not be able to treat you. But if you have a large number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge the heart's rate over 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which alters the way the heart pumps blood- must be aware of their PVCs and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat for example, a beta blocker.
Even if you don't experience any other indications, you should still get PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen often. These extra heartbeats may indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any problems. They just want to know that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them often might feel faint. window doctor near me can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's functioning.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. 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 in the event of any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart conditions. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercise.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes for the additional beats.
The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to sleep enough and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs it's crucial 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 the total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some people may need a heart transplant.