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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused by the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart-related condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident if you exercise, or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid certain foods and beverages, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to a stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may need to see your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you notice symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart, and travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to begin the next pumping cycle. But a PVC begins in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel like it skipped the beat. If you've experienced only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs and your doctor might suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
If window doctor near me 've had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that alters the way the heart pumps blood- must be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who experience them do not have any issues with their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's functioning.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease if there is any concern.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and the reduction of stress could help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medication options to treat these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle modifications. You may also undergo an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more common in people who have other heart conditions. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they could be more frequent during exercises.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other reasons for the increased beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. They can increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also important. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it's crucial to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require an organ transplant.