How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any issues. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they could occur frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially when the PVCs are triggered by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart beating one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. People with chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could cause a stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different place, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may appear to be beating faster or slower. If you have only a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. If you have many PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like a beta blocker.
Even if you don't experience any other signs however, you should have PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They want to know if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them often may feel weak. They can also happen with training, even though many athletes who get them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and observe how it's working.
A doctor can often tell the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. upvc doctor are able to identify cardiac problems when there is a concerns.
If your cardiologist has determined 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 over-the drug decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible treatments that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to examine for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. It's not clear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart issues. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more frequently during exercising.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the extra beats are caused by physical activity. To find out if there are other causes for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.
The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. However, they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means the heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout 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 limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is essential to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require an organ transplant.