How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower chambers of your heart, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
For window doctors www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk , PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly when the PVCs are caused by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart beating one beat, or even fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid some drinks and foods like alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen stress by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in stroke. This isn't common however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip a beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move 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 cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins at a different spot, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur they can make the heart feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you've experienced only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine the heart's rate over 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't experience any other signs, you should still get PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to a problem with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time, when they are frequent enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health issues. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes however, they might not be aware of PVCs until 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 can be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a concern.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the drug decongestants and the reduction of stress could aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medication that may be able to reduce the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If they occur frequently, your doctor might need to examine for heart issues or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercise.
A doctor should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beats the heart catheterization or cardiac MRI is possible.
Most people with PVCs don't experience any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. If you take any of these medications, it is important to follow your doctor's advice regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.