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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.
window doctors near me of your heart is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse begins in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely and not cause any symptoms, but they may occur frequently enough to impact your quality of living. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Regular PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially the case if they are caused by a heart-related condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower your stress by having enough sleep and working out.
If you're suffering from lots of PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases, 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 contractions or PVCs, may make your heart seem to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the top right side of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC begins at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs happen they can make the heart appear to be racing or pounding. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
If you've had an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other symptoms however, you should have PVCs examined by an expert in cardiology if they occur frequently. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They want to know if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. Exercise can trigger them, but many athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's functioning.
A doctor can often tell whether a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the drug decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medication that could help manage them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercises.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To determine if there are other causes for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or cardiac MRI is possible.
The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They could increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications, it is important to follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating, exercising, and taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.