How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs and have no issues. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart. the window doctor repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is called the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower stress by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure 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 returning in the future. In some instances, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause a stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lung. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you experience only just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If you have many PVCs and your doctor might suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
Anyone who has had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which alters the way the heart pumps bloodand should be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you have frequent PVCs even if do not have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, can weaken your heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. They can also occur with exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's functioning.
Often, a doctor will be able to tell whether the patient has PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the drug decongestants and reducing stress may help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that may be able to reduce the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or occur rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has additional beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more common in people who have other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercise.
A doctor should conduct an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are due to physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the increased beats the heart catheterization or an MRI could be conducted.
Most people with PVCs have no complications and live a normal life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets 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 that are high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough rest and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need a heart transplant.