How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in a different area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they may occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.

PVCs can trigger symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart racing one beat, or even fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain drinks and foods like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, Office Window repair which eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can result in stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart seem to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node, located in the upper right side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different location that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heart rate over a 24-hour period. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.

If you've had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps blood - must be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and double Hung window repair smoking, managing stress and hurricane-proof window repair anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, such as beta blockers.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any problems. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur with exercising, but most athletes who experience them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's working.

A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.

If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and energy-efficient window Repair [kingranks.com] over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible medication options to treat the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent, they usually don't need treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also have an operation to rid yourself 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 that 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. They're more common among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercising.

If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs the doctor is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes for the increased beats.

Most people with PVCs have no complications and can lead the normal life. They could increase the risk of developing 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 having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.

Studies of patients suffering from an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require an organ transplant.