How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.

The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to lower heart chambers or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs happen by the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to affect your standard of life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.

For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or window balance repair other health issues. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly when the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.

PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. People with chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.

If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress by having enough sleep and working out.

If you have many PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can lead to stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.

The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or casement Window crank repair ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart to begin the next pumping cycle. A PVC begins in a different place in the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may feel like it is racing or pounding. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. However, if you have large number of PVCs, the window doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, window restoration or ECG to gauge your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

If you've had previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine 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 have any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate a problem with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also happen with exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors which record electrical impulses that come 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 whether a patient has PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect cardiac disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and the reduction of stress could aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible medications that can control the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them.

If you have PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercise.

A doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other reasons for the additional beats.

Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can live the normal life. They can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Also, you should try to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some people may need an organ transplant.