How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically regulates your heart rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they can be frequent enough to impact your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially when the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. People with chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen your stress by getting enough sleep and working out.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that cause them. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can lead to stroke. This is rare but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right portion of the heart. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, the heart may appear to be racing or pounding. If you experience only a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not be able to treat you. However, if you have lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure your heart rate over 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record the heart's rhythm over time, allowing you to see how many PVCs you have.
Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat, like a beta blocker.
If you have frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they can 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 or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and decreasing stress can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible treatments that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. It's unclear what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercise.
If www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk has frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical exercise. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.
Most people with PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs it is important to follow the doctor's advice about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to a need for a heart transplant in some individuals.