This Is The One Pvc Doctor Trick Every Person Should Know
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a wide range of people with no cause for concern. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel from this node to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially when the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent if you exercise, or eat or drink certain beverages or foods. People who experience chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid certain drinks and foods, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have many PVCs, your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells responsible for them. This procedure is performed by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In certain cases, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can result in a stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the upper right side of the heart, and travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lung. They return to the center to begin 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, the heart may appear to be racing or pounding. If you experience only one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not be able to treat you. If repairmywindowsanddoors got a number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine the heart's rate over a 24-hour period. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.
If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps blood- should take their PVCs seriously and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, for example, beta blockers.
Even if you don't experience any other indications it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These extra heartbeats may indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they happen often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs don't have any issues. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. They can also happen with training, even though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's functioning.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if the patient is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical exam. Sometimes it is possible that they only be able to detect PVCs when they examine a patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and they might be used in the event of any suspicion of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling or make you be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible treatments that could help control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for other heart issues and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart conditions. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more frequently during exercises.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be done to look for other reasons for the extra beats.
Most people with PVCs have no complications and can live a normal life. They could increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout the body.
A regular, healthy diet and a lot of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines it is essential that you follow your doctor's advice regarding healthy eating, exercising, and taking your medication.
Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require a heart transplant.