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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to affect your standard of living. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress levels by getting enough sleep and working out.
If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for 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 returning in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can lead to stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, however, you should consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right portion of the heart, and descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then expand to push blood into your lungs and return to the heart to begin the next pumping cycle. A PVC begins in a different location, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel like it skipped the beat. If you only have a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. If you've got a lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heart rate over 24 hours. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records your heart rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.
If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as beta blockers.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can be a sign of an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who experience them have no heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's functioning.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if someone has PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect cardiac disease in the event of any concerns.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your doctor about medication 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 occur frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. 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 they might occur more frequently during exercise.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. window doctors near me will also likely conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical activity. To determine whether there are other reasons for the extra beats an invasive heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can live the normal life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and limit caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating healthy and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Certain people may require a heart transplant.