How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) isn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they can happen often enough to affect your quality of life. If they are very frequent or Soundproof Window Repair 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. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.

PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping a beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. People with chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor double hung window Repair may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you have lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can cause stroke. This isn't common however it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart seem to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician when they occur frequently 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 part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may feel as if it's skipping a beat or pounding. If you have only a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not treat you. However, if you have lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure the heart's rate over 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and Soundproof Window Repair count the number of PVCs.

If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps blood- must be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like a beta blocker.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of an issue with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions, and over time, if they occur often enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to know that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's working.

A doctor may be able to determine if someone has PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized when there is a concern of heart disease.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. However, if your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible medications that can control them.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to examine for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.

If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. It's not known what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people who have other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercises.

If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are caused by physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the increased beats, a heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI is possible.

Most people with PVCs do not experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. They could increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout the body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. If you're taking one of these medications it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This could lead to the need for a transplant in a few people.