Fischerberman5153
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is controlled by a group of nerve fibers situated in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat in a part called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to affect your standard of life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart condition 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 skipping an beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels by taking enough rest and working out.
If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you are experiencing 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 move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lung. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot in the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel as if it's racing or pounding. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.
If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the heart's blood flow - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if there aren't any other signs, you should still get PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. They can also occur with training, even though many athletes who get them don't have issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's functioning.
A doctor may be able to tell whether the patient has PVCs from a history and physical examination. However, sometimes they will only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease when there is a concerns.
If your cardiologist finds 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 other decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible medications that can control them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle changes. You may also undergo an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
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 side of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may be more frequent during exercise.
A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. window doctor will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are a result of physical exercise. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI is possible.
The majority of people with PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout the body.
A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also important. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require an organ transplant.
