How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people with no cause for concern. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.

A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) usually controls the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can happen often enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping one beat, secure custom window repair window scratch repair (http://rvolchansk.ru/user/Bearwall3/) or even fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more evident when you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain foods and beverages, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen stress by having enough sleep and working out.

If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip a beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.

Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and then return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC begins at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, Window Replacement (Advicebulb0.Bravejournal.Net) the doctor will probably not treat you. If you have many PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. He or she may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time to determine how many PVCs you have.

Anyone who has had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects the way that the heart pumps bloodand must be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as a beta blocker.

Even if you don't have any other indications however, you should have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time, when they are frequent enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel weak. They can also occur with exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study 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, they might only be able to detect PVCs when they examine patients for a different reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems if there is any reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are extreme, talk to your doctor about medication options to treat these symptoms.

Treatment

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

If you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercise.

If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs, a physician is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes for the increased beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and live the normal life. They may increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. So if you take one of these medications it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.