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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for concern. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they can occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially true if the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or Window hinge Repair cocaine, can increase the risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you're suffering from many PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys cells that cause PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can cause stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles contract to push the blood into the lung. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts at a different spot that is separate from 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 beat faster or feel like it skipped a beat. If you only have a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heart rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.
People who have had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't have any other symptoms, you should still get PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen often. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or Apartment Window Repair health problems. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to tell whether a person is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and they might be used when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk with your physician about possible treatments that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to look for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercises.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical exercise. To determine whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.
Most people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and live an ordinary life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough rest and manage stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these drugs it is important to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require an organ transplant.