How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. 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 in a part known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Regular PVCs, however, can weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or leaded glass window repair anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In certain cases it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can lead to a stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractures PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.

The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lung. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different location that is separate from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you only have one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not treat you. If you've got a number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge the heart's rate over 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, such as beta blockers.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of problems 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. However, most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who experience them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's working.

A doctor window crack repair can often tell the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes, they may only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized if there's any concern of heart disease.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor about possible treatments that could help control the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to check for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.

If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand Services corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more often during exercises.

A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other reasons for the extra beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live an ordinary life. They could increase your risk for 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 has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.

A regular, healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you're taking one of these medications it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of the total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some patients may require a heart transplant.