How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) isn't. Instead, the impulse starts in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. People with chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the risk of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have lots of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibres bundle at the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you only have a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms the cardiologist will likely not treat you. If you've got a number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heartbeat over 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
People who have suffered an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if you do not have other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to a problem with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time when they are frequent enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues. They just want to know that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect heart disease if there is any concerns.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may help. window doctors repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk , being at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, speak to your doctor about medication options to treat these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more common in people with other heart conditions. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they could be more frequent during exercise.
A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are a result of physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be conducted to determine other causes for the extra beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can live a normal life. They may increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential to follow the advice of your doctor 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) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need a heart transplant.