How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs happen by the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of heart disease. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if the PVCs result from conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain drugs, Window Condensation Repair like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase their risk.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by taking enough rest and exercising.

If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is generally 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 having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contracts, storm window Repair or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may be advised to consult your physician in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right portion of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins at a different spot in the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, fireproof window Repair they can make the heart pound or feel like it skipped one beat. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.

People who have suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

If you have frequent PVCs even if you do not have any other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to problems with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions, and over time, if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's functioning.

A doctor is often able to tell if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized when there is a concern of cardiac disease.

If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that could be able to manage them.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If you are frequently affected and frequently, your doctor might want to check for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.

If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. It's unclear what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people who have other heart problems. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and may be more frequent during exercises.

If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs doctors should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are due to 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 can live a normal lifestyle. They can increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.

A healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.

Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.