How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) typically controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually starts your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also known as the window doctor near me sinoatrial or SA Node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they may also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

In most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially when the PVCs result from conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or consume certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol. 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 may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In some instances it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to a stroke. This isn't common but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contracts or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, which is in the top right portion of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into the lungs, and return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different location, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat or feel like it skipped the beat. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, the window doctor near me probably won't be able to treat you. However, if you have large number of PVCs, the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

People who have suffered a heart attack in the window doctor past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which alters the way the heart pumps blood -- should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who get them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors 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 functioning.

A doctor can often tell the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized when there is a concern of cardiac disease.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medication options to treat them.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle changes. You could also have a procedure 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 other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more frequent among those who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercise.

A physician should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the extra heartbeats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes of the extra beats.

Most people with PVCs do not have any issues and live the normal life. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout the body.

A healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medications can increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from pvc doctor burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of the total heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require an organ transplant.