How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a wide range of people with no cause for concern. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.

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

Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, replace broken window Glass called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of 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.

PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more evident if you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, can increase their risk.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages like alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can lead to stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located 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. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and return to the heart to begin the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC starts at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.

When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may feel as if it's skipping a beat or pounding. If you experience a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have many PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time to determine how many PVCs you have.

People who have suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, Casement Window Crank Repair such as beta blockers.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you do not have any other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats can point to a problem 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. Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's functioning.

A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only be able to detect PVCs when they examine a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.

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 feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about medication options to treat these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to examine for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You might also get a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. It's unclear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart conditions. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercises.

A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor will also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be performed to find other causes for the increased beats.

Most people with PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur 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 the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to get enough rest and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is crucial that you follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as 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 certain people.