How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and may be experienced by a wide range of people with no cause for concern. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically regulates your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can happen often enough to affect your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.

For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. People with chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.

If you have many PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells responsible for them. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can lead to stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can make your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, however, you should consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.

The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lung. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the lower left part of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your window doctor might suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.

Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and Window caulking anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat like beta blockers.

If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could indicate problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time, if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They just want to know that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and Residential windows repair see how it's working.

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 not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease when there is a reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat them.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.

If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or Louvred Window Repair has extra beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and may be more frequent during exercising.

If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs doctors should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other causes of the extra beats.

Most people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live an ordinary life. They can increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.

A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medications can increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential that you follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy exercising, as well as taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This can lead to the need for a heart transplant in certain people.