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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.

The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the lower heart chambers 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 and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. Regular PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are triggered by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart racing an beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower your stress by taking enough rest and exercising.

If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can lead to stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, but you should talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.

The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node which is in the top right portion of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into your lungs and return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC begins at a different spot, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.

When PVCs occur, the heart may appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.

Anyone who has suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. Those include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat like beta blockers.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if don't have any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs don't have any issues. windows doctor want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them regularly might feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's functioning.





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 patients for a different reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease if there is any concerns.

If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort, or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and the reduction of stress could help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could help manage the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.

If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they could be more frequent during exercises.

A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization, 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 problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. They may increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.

A regular, healthy diet and plenty of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is essential that you follow your doctor's recommendations about eating healthy exercising, as well as taking your medication.

Studies of patients with 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 certain patients.