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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.

The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.





Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) isn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.

For most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen your stress levels by getting enough sleep and working out.

If you're experiencing lots of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness 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 the beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might need to see your doctor if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.

Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the top right-hand side of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location that is the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped one beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. If you have many PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

If you've had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects the way that the heart pumps blood- should be aware of their PVCs and talk to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, for example, beta blockers.

Even if you don't have any other signs, you should still get PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur frequently. These irregular heartbeats could signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur often enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's functioning.

A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for different reasons, like after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concerns.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor about possible treatments that could help control these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might need to examine for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.

If you have PVCs The electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper 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 the reason behind them. window doctor near me are more likely to occur as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercising.

If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out whether there are any other causes for the increased beats an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI could be conducted.

Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and live the normal life. They can increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.

A regular, healthy diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of getting PVCs. So if you take one of these drugs, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some patients may require a heart transplant.