How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they can happen often enough to interfere with your quality of life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health problems. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially relevant if the PVCs are triggered by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain drinks and foods like alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This is done by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.
Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the top right side of the heart, and travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you've experienced a few episodes and no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. However, if you have lot of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge the heart's rate over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time to determine how many PVCs you have.
If you've had previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - must take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if there aren't any other indications it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to know that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's working.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias, and they might be used if there's any concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, talk to your physician about the medications that could help reduce them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercising.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor will also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the increased beats the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can live the normal life. They may increase the risk of developing 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 balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
upvc door doctor near me of patients suffering from an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.