How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure.

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

Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally begins your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely without causing any symptoms, but they may also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine.

For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if the PVCs are triggered by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase their risk.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor Office Window Repair might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.

If you have a lot of PVCs, Wooden Window Repair he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could cause a stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, Fireproof window repair or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, but you should consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.

Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lung. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the bottom left of the heart.

When PVCs occur, the heart may feel like it is racing or pounding. If you have only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps bloodand should be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

If you have frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They want to know if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who experience them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's working.

Most of the time, a doctor will be able to identify if the patient is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. However, sometimes they will only notice them while examining the patient for different reasons, like after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease if there is any reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medication options to treat these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to check for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.

When you have PVCs The electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or window glass repair has extra beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more common in people with other heart conditions. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, window screen repair and they may be more frequent during exercises.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs doctors should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other reasons for the increased beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and live the normal life. They could increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that your heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.

A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential that you follow the advice of your doctor about eating healthy and exercising as well as taking your medication.

Studies of patients with a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need an organ transplant.