How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.

The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a group of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse begins in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. 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 occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to affect your standard of living. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.

For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially when the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel breathless. 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 such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.

If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.

If you're suffering from many PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could cause stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.

Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right-hand side of the heart, and descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel like it skipped one beat. If you only have one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. However, if you have lot of PVCs and window refurbishment hinge Repair - Ideafowl6.werite.net - you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure your heart rate over a 24-hour period. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.

Anyone who has had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects how the heart pumps blood - should be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you do not have any other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time when they are frequent enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs might appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who get lots of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.

A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining patients for a different reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concern.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. However, if your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible medications that can control them.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.

If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more frequent in those with other heart conditions. PVCs are more frequent as we age and can occur more often during exercise.

A physician should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other causes of the additional beats.

Most people with PVCs have no complications and can lead an ordinary life. They may increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means the heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.

A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.

Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require a heart transplant.