How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

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

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

Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering could be more noticeable if you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. People who experience chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.

If you experience occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower your stress by taking enough rest and exercising.

If you're suffering from many PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In some instances it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause a stroke. This is rare but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart seem to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.

Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right side of the heart. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into the lungs, and then return to your heart and start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location that is the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs happen, the heart may appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you only have one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for a period 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 an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. This includes cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as beta blockers.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate a problem 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 or racing heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who get lots of them may feel they're about to faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health issues. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.

A doctor may be able to identify if a person is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect cardiac disease when there is a reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the drug decongestants and decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and Fireproof Window Repair drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or stained glass skylight window repair casement window crank repair (just click the following page) severe, talk to your doctor about medication that may be able to reduce them.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.

If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes these, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercises.

A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To determine whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or cardiac MRI could be conducted.

Most people with PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They may increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines it is important to follow the doctor's advice about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some people may need a heart transplant.