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 the risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers 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 heart chambers or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse is generated in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They may occur infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to affect your standard of life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.

PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs, however, secure window repair can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart skipping a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent for fireproof window repair those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, Aluminum window Repair like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that cause them. This procedure is performed by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could cause a stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, childproof window repair or PVCs, can make your heart seem to skip or flutter the beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but you should talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.

Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into your lungs and then return to the heart and start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different location that is separate from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the bottom left portion of the heart.

When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel like it is racing or pounding. If you have only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend that 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 the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.

Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects how the heart pumps blood - should be aware of their PVCs and talk to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. Those include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

Even if you don't have any other symptoms it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. But most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who get them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and see how it's functioning.

Often, a doctor will be able to determine if someone is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and the reduction of stress could aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that could help control the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you have them often or frequently, slider window sill repair repair (the original source) your doctor may wish to look for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If 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 side of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercising.

A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical exercise. To find out if there are other causes for the extra beats an invasive heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.

Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has trouble pumping blood throughout your body.

A regular, healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough rest and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines, it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of the total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This can result in the need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.