How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) isn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms like a feeling of your heart skipping a beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent if you exercise, or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from 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, which eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can lead to stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart appear to skip or flutter one beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, but you should talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different place, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, the heart may feel as if it's skipping a beat or pounding. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not 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. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.
People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, like a beta blocker.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if you do not have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that flutter, 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 training, even though many athletes who experience them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's functioning.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if a person is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used if there's any concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment required. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible treatments that could help control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also have an operation (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 outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes them, but they're more common in people with other heart conditions. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and could be more frequent during exercise.
A physician should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other causes for the additional beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They could increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of 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 with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some patients may require a heart transplant.