How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node 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) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Regular PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms like a feeling of your heart skipping one beat, or even fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you experience occasional PVCs your window & door doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain foods and beverages, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.

If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip a beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right side of the heart, and descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lung. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location that is the Purkinje fibres bundle in the bottom left of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you have only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.

Anyone who has suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. Those include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers.

Even if there aren't any other signs however, you should have PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, if they occur often enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study 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 be able to detect PVCs when they examine the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment required. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the prescription decongestants, as well as 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 continue or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medication options to treat the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle changes. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. They're more common among people with heart problems however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and could be more frequent during exercises.

A upvc doctor Near Me should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are a result of physical exercise. To find out whether there are any other causes for the increased beats the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI could be conducted.

The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. They may increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.

A regular, healthy diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow the doctor's advice regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Certain people may require an organ transplant.