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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.

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

Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.

PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. double glazing doctor can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you're suffering from many PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can result in a stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractures, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These heartbeats can be harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.

Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, the heart may appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you experience only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

If you've had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which affects how the heart pumps blood- should take their PVCs seriously and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. Those include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers.

If you have frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs might appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. They can also occur with exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.

A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems when there is a concern.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medications that could help control the symptoms.

Treatment





If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that 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 could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. It's not clear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart conditions. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercise.

A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other reasons for the increased beats.

The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They could increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to sleep enough and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you're taking one of these medications it is important to follow the doctor's advice about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This can lead to the need for a transplant in some people.