How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they could occur frequently enough to impact your quality of living. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing an beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right-hand side of the heart, and move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts at a different spot 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 cause the heart pound or feel like it skipped the beat. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. But if you have a large number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge your heart rate over 24 hours. They might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
Anyone who has suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that alters the way the heart pumps blood should take their PVCs seriously and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other indications it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These heartbeats that are irregular can be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, if they occur often enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any issues. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them often might feel faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's functioning.
the window doctor www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes however, they might not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias, and could be utilized in the event of any suspicion of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and decreasing stress can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible medication options to treat 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 examine for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You might also get an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercise.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To determine whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs have no complications and can lead the normal life. They could 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 is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some people may need an organ transplant.