How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.

Causes

PVCs are caused by the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or Professional Window Repair feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently, Louvred window Repair causing no symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to impact your quality of living. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, installers dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.

For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise or consume certain beverages or foods. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.

If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower your stress levels by having enough sleep and working out.

If you're experiencing lots of PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can result in a stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contracts or PVCs may 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 experience symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and Apartment Window repair then return to your heart and start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different place in the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel like it skipped a beat. If you only have one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest 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, which will record your heartbeat over time to see the number of PVCs you have.

People who have suffered an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

Even if you don't experience any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These extra heartbeats can point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs might appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them often might feel faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's functioning.

A doctor may be able to identify if the patient is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used in the event of any suspicion of a cardiac condition.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and the reduction of stress could aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about medication options to treat these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or happen rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If they happen frequently your doctor may need to examine for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle modifications. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.

If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and could be more frequent during exercise.

If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or an MRI can be performed.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can live the normal life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body.

A regular, healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and repair limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk for PVCs. So if you take one of these medications, it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

Studies of patients with a high 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. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in a few patients.