How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) isn't. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they may also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine.

PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Regular PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering could be more noticeable if you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress by taking enough rest and working out.

If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can lead to stroke. It is not common, but 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 harmless, but you may need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and then return to your heart to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location that is the Purkinje fibres bundle in the bottom left of the heart.

When PVCs happen, the heart may appear to be beating faster or slower. If you only have just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. However, if you have number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge your heartbeat over 24 hours. They might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.

If you've had previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and casement wooden window repair crank repair (he has a good point) consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. Those include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as beta blockers.

Even if there aren't any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These extra heartbeats can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time when they are frequent enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's functioning.

A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will not be aware of them until they examine the patient for different reasons, like after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also aid 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 is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak with your physician about possible treatments that could help control them.

Treatment

If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or occur rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat 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 you age, and they may be more frequent during exercises.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.

Most people with PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They may increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to sleep enough and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications, it is important to follow your doctor's advice about eating healthy exercising, as well as taking your medication.

In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in some people.