How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for concern. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they can happen often 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 harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. window doctors near me fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you have occasional PVCs, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower your stress levels by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This is done by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can cause stroke. This isn't common however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart, and move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into your lungs and then return to your heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you only have one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not be able to treat you. If you have many PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. Those include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other indications however, you should have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that flutter, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly might feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor will usually be able to determine whether a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease when there is a concerns.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that could be able to manage these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
When you have PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more frequently during exercises.
A doctor should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. 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 conducted to determine other causes of the extra beats.
The majority of people with PVCs are not affected and can live a normal life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy and exercising as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.