Hammondhughes0670

How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

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

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

Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically initiates your heartbeat in a part known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or is fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they may also happen frequently enough to affect your quality of life. double glazing doctor might prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

In most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase the risk.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain drinks and foods like caffeine and alcohol. window doctor can also reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.

If you have many PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

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

Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles expand to push the blood into the lung. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.

When PVCs occur, the heart may appear to be racing or pounding. If you experience only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. 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 previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if don't have any other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats can point to a problem with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.





Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that flutter, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly may feel weak. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's working.

A doctor is often able to tell whether a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only be able to detect PVCs when they examine a patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems in the event of any reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and the reduction of stress could help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that could be able to manage the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to examine for other heart conditions and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.

If you have PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart conditions. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may be more frequent during exercising.

A physician should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical exercise. To find out whether there are other reasons for the increased beats an invasive heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI could be conducted.

Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. It is also important to sleep enough and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating healthy, exercising, and taking your medication.

In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This could lead to the need for a transplant in some patients.