What Pvc Doctor Should Be Your Next Big Obsession
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in a different area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they may 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.
In most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. A lot of PVCs, however, can weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are triggered by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. People who experience chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain foods and beverages like alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In some instances it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may be advised to consult your physician when they occur frequently or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, window screen repair or fatigue.
The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that 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. A PVC begins in a different location, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you experience only one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. But if you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure the heart's rate over a 24-hour period. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as a beta blocker.
Even if you don't have any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they happen often enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They are interested in knowing if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and see how it's functioning.
A doctor is often able to tell whether a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used if there's any concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, talk to your physician about the medications that could be able to reduce these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they occur 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 which creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or leaded glass window repair is beating faster. It's unclear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart conditions. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and may be more frequent during exercises.
A doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are a result of physical exercise. To determine if there are other causes for the extra beatings an invasive heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.
Most people with PVCs do not have any issues and can lead the normal life. They could increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has trouble pumping blood throughout your body.
A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is essential to follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to the need for a transplant in some people.