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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They may happen rarely and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart condition 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 skipping an beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise, or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may 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 such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen stress by taking enough rest and exercising.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your upvc doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can lead to stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can make your heart appear to skip or flutter the beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat or feel like it skipped a beat. If you only have just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
Anyone who has had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which affects how the heart pumps bloodand should be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. Those include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's functioning.
A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible medication options to treat them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to look for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may be more frequent during exercises.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are a result of physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes for the extra beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can live the normal life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential to follow your doctor's advice regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from pvc doctor burdens that are high (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 some people.