How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by many people without causing any problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle 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 travel to ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. upvc window doctor , may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. People with chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs, and return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC starts at a different spot that is separate from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs and your doctor might suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which affects how the heart pumps bloodand should take their PVCs seriously and talk to a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers.
If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with 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 simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. They can also happen with training, even though many athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
A doctor may be able to identify if someone is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes it is possible that they only be able to detect PVCs when they examine patients for a different reason, such as after an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease in the event of any concerns.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or occur rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to look for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. 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 other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes them, but they're more common in people with other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercise.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs doctors should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are a result of physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beats an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
The majority of people with PVCs have no complications and can lead an ordinary life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout the body.
A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to get enough rest and manage stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is crucial that you follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need a heart transplant.