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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
A lot of people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen by the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse begins in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart-related condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable if you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. People with chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine may increase the chance of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower your stress levels by having enough sleep and working out.
If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that cause them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can cause stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different place in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart beat faster or feel like it skipped one beat. If you experience only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. He or she may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heartbeat over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
If you've had an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if there aren't any other indications however, you should have PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These irregular heartbeats could indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time, if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly might feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's functioning.
Often, a doctor will be able to tell whether a person is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes, the window doctor may only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems if there is any concerns.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and the reduction of stress could help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that could help reduce them.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. PVCs are more prevalent among people who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs can increase in frequency with age and might happen more frequently during exercise.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs doctors is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs do not have any issues and can live the normal life. They may increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.
A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you're taking one of these medicines it is important to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require an organ transplant.
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