How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
double glazing doctor are caused when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They may occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they may also happen frequently enough to affect your standard of life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly when the PVCs are triggered by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen your stress by taking enough rest and working out.
If you have a lot of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you might want to consult your doctor if they are frequent or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to pump blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts at a different spot, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. If you have many PVCs and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.
If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time, if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They just want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who get lots of them may feel they're about to faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who experience them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's functioning.
A doctor is often able to tell if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used when there is a concern of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that may be able to control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If you have them often, your doctor may want to look for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as we age and can occur more frequently during exercise.
A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are a result of physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be performed to find other causes of the additional beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can live a normal life. They may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood throughout your body.
A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medications, it is important to follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy exercising, as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.