How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure.

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

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They can happen infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor might prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

For secure window repair most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Regular PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart-related condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. People who experience chronic stress or anxiety can 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 suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower your stress by having enough sleep and exercising.

If you're experiencing many PVCs, he may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In some instances it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. It is not common but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These heartbeats can be harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.

Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the top right portion of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lungs. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you experience only a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.

People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat for example, beta blockers.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you do not have other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. Most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They are interested in knowing if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may appear to be fluttering or contemporary window repair skip heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's working.

A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, home window repair they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized when there is a concern of a cardiac condition.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could be able to control them.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and could be more frequent during exercises.

A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be conducted to determine other causes for window Weatherstripping the extra beats.

Most people with PVCs are not affected and can lead a normal life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also important. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these drugs, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions 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) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in certain people.