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 the risk of heart failure.

The rhythm of your heart is usually 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 are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur by the electrical impulse that 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 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 like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they may occur frequently enough to affect your standard of living. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain foods or beverages. People who experience chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs and certain medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the likelihood of developing them.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce stress by getting enough sleep and working out.

If you're experiencing many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.

Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, Window Restoration company which pump blood. The ventricles expand to push the blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins at a different spot, the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you've experienced a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have many PVCs and your doctor might suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

Anyone who has had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which affects the way that the heart pumps blood - should be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like a beta blocker.

If you have frequent PVCs even if you do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors that 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 working.

A doctor may be able to determine if the patient is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes however, they might not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease if there is any reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your physician about the medications that could help control these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to look for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or window Restoration medications. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.

If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more frequent among those with heart problems however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercises.

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 will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other causes for the additional beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any issues and Victorian window Repair can live an ordinary life. They may increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.

A regular, healthy diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is crucial that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in some patients.