How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.

A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor replace Broken window glass may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing one beat, or even fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain drinks and foods like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.

If you have many PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), Leaded Glass Window Repair which can lead to stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can make your heart appear to skip or flutter the beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.

The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different location, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.

When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you have only one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms the cardiologist will likely not treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

People who have suffered a previous heart attack or [Redirect Only] cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. 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 cardiologist 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 happen often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, storefront window repair particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience them have no heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and observe how it's functioning.

A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes however, they might only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or extreme, consult your physician about the medications that may be able to control the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually need treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to check for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.

If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those with heart problems, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercises.

A physician should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be done to look for other causes of the extra beats.

The majority of people with PVCs do not have any issues and can live an ordinary life. They could increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.

A regular, healthy diet and plenty of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to sleep enough and manage stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications it is important to follow your doctor's instructions about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.

Studies of patients with 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 the need for a heart transplant in a few patients.