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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any issues. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually initiates your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes an untimed heartbeat. Repair My Windows And Doors , also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen your stress levels by having enough sleep and working out.
If you have many PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. This is rare but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, however, you should consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, located in the upper right side of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different place that is the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you only have one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not be able to treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs, the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heart rate over a 24-hour period. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
People who have had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which affects how the heart pumps blood -- should be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other indications however, you should have PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen often. These extra heartbeats may indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they happen often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware 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 get lots of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who experience them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of 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 different reasons, like after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect cardiac disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about treatments that could help control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle modifications. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than at 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. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and could be more frequent during exercising.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are caused by physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the increased beats, a heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. They can increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase your risk for PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require an organ transplant.
