Shortjuel2405

How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.

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

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse begins in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

For most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. People who experience chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.

If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells responsible for them. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause a stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or to flutter. window doctors near me repairmywindowsanddoors are harmless, but you might want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right portion of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into the lungs, and return to the heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location in the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may appear to be beating faster or slower. If you experience only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. If you've got a large number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor, which will record the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.

People who have had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects how the heart pumps blood -and must be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, for example, beta blockers.

Even if you don't experience any other signs, you should still get PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They want to know if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.





Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them don't have issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's functioning.

Often, a doctor will be able to identify if someone is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect heart disease when there is a concerns.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can 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 with your physician about possible medications that can control these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may need to examine for heart problems or suggest lifestyle modifications. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.

If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. It's not known what causes these, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercising.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs doctors should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the increased beats, a heart catheterization or an MRI could be conducted.

Most people with PVCs do not have any issues and can lead the normal life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, 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 the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medications, it is important to follow your doctor's advice regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.

Studies of patients who had an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can result in a need for a heart transplant in certain people.