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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a variety of people without causing any issues. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) isn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in another area 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 is like it's fluttering. They can occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of heart disease. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly when the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure.





The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

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

If you're suffering from lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from recurring in the future. In some instances it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause a stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.

The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC starts 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, they cause the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge the heart's rate over a 24-hour period. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time to see how many PVCs you have.

If you've had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects how the heart pumps blood -- must be aware of their PVCs and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, such as a beta blocker.

If you have frequent PVCs even if do not have any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats can indicate a problem with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time when they are frequent enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They are interested in knowing if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them often may feel faint. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who experience them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.

A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized in the event of any suspicion of a cardiac condition.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medications that can control them.

Treatment

If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might need to examine for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.

When you have PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and could be more frequent during exercises.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other causes for the increased beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They can increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.

Studies of patients suffering from an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require a heart transplant.