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 chance of suffering from heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually initiates your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
In Highly recommended Website , PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating a beat, or fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident if you exercise, or consume certain drinks 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 chance of developing them.
If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can result in stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor if they are frequent or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lungs. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins at a different spot, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped the beat. If you experience only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. However, if you have lot of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered a heart attack in the past or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood -- should be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat like a beta blocker.
If you have frequent PVCs even if you do not have other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who experience them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and observe how it's functioning.
A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems in the event of any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your physician about the medications that could be able to reduce these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to look for other heart conditions and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. It's not known what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people who have other heart problems. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercises.
A physician should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes for the additional beats.
The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They may increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some instances, this means the heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. So if you take one of these drugs it is important to follow the doctor's advice about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. Some patients may require an organ transplant.