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 for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart skipping one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, may increase the risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower your stress by having enough sleep and working out.
If you're suffering from many PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. window doctor near me that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can cause stroke. This isn't common however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart seem to flutter or skip the beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lung. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts in a different place, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, located in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, the heart may feel as if it's racing or pounding. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time to see how many PVCs you have.
If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other symptoms, you should still get PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They are interested in knowing if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them often may feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's functioning.
Most of the time, a doctor will be able to tell whether someone has PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. Sometimes, they may only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease in the event of any concerns.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and the reduction of stress could aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medication that could help reduce these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent, they usually don't need treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.
If you have PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes these, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and might occur more frequently 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. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the increased beats, a heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can lead a normal life. They can increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you're taking one of these medicines it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This can result in a need for a heart transplant in a few people.