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 the risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) usually controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.

Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that usually starts your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They may occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they can be frequent enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are caused by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent if you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. People with chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them.

If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce stress by having enough sleep and exercising.

If you're suffering from many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause a stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, located in the upper right side of the heart. These signals travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and return to the heart and start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different location, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the left-hand awning window repair side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you have only one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs and your doctor might recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heart rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.

Anyone who has suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, like a beta blocker.

Even if you don't experience any other symptoms, you should still get PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They want to know if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs might appear to be fluttering or tailored window sealing repair (click this site) skip heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's functioning.

Often, a doctor will be able to tell whether the patient has PVCs from a history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect cardiac disease when there is a concerns.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel 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 help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your physician about the medications that may be able to control these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or Clerestory Window repair don't cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may need to examine for heart issues or suggest lifestyle modifications. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.

If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has additional beats. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and may be more frequent during exercise.

If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical exercise. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.

A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are 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 may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential that you follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating, exercising, and taking your medication.

Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to the need for a transplant in certain people.