Vargasmadden0117

How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) isn't. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart, the ventricles, and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. window doctor can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to affect your daily life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medicine.

In most people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health issues. Regular PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are triggered by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase the risk.

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

If you have many PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can result in stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms





Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, located in the top right side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lung. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different place that is the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel like it skipped one beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.

People who have suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects how the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

Even if you don't experience any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen often. These extra heartbeats can indicate problems with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.

Most of the time, a doctor will be able to determine if the patient has PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may only be able to detect PVCs when they examine the patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a concern.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort, or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, consult your physician about the medications that may be able to manage them.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.

When you have PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercise.

A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They may also perform an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other causes of the additional beats.

The majority of people with PVCs are not affected and live the normal life. They may increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to sleep enough and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require an organ transplant.