Kvistwilson5001

How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.

A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) isn't. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.

For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart racing an beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase the risk.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.

If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can lead to a stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might need to see your doctor if they are frequent or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs, and return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC starts at a different spot that is separate from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the bottom left portion of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time to determine how many PVCs you have.

People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat like a beta blocker.

Even if you don't have any other symptoms, you should still get PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not have any problems. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's working.

A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease in the event of any concern.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, talk to your doctor about medication that may be able to manage the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or occur rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle changes. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.

When you have PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercising.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are related to physical activity. repairmywindowsanddoors or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other reasons for the extra beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.





A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. If you're taking one of these medications it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can result in the need for a transplant in some individuals.