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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

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

A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs are caused by the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it's fluttering. the window doctor can happen infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they could occur frequently enough to affect your standard of living. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart-related 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 beating one beat, or even fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.

If you're experiencing lots of PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In some instances, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. This isn't common but it could be life-threatening.





Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to skip or flutter the beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may need to see your doctor if they are frequent or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.

The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right portion of the heart, and descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, the heart may feel like it is racing or pounding. If you've experienced only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have many PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over time to see the number of PVCs you have.

People who have had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which affects how the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's working.

A doctor may be able to identify if a person has PVCs from a history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used if there's any concern of a cardiac condition.

If window doctor near me finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, speak to your doctor about medications that can control them.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.

If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercises.

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

Most people with PVCs are not affected and can lead the normal life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.

A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow the doctor's advice about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.

Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to a need for a heart transplant in a few patients.