How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

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

A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.

Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse which normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they can happen often enough to impact your daily life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.

For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Regular PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are triggered by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to heart failure.

PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart beating a beat, or fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid some foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.

If you're suffering from lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some instances 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 contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, however, you should consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.

The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, located in the top right-hand side of the heart, and travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into your lungs and return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different place, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not treat you. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.

If you've had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which affects the way that the heart pumps bloodand should be aware of their PVCs and casement clerestory window repair Repair [radishcreek1.bravejournal.net] consult a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, for example, beta blockers.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you do not have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They just want to know that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who experience them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's functioning.

Most of the time, a doctor will be able to identify if the patient is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining patients for a different reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems if there is any concerns.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that could be able to manage these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for other heart conditions and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You might also get a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart issues. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercise.

If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs, a physician is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are related to physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI is possible.

Most people with PVCs are not affected and can lead an ordinary life. They could increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.