How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they occur often, window sash replacement PVCs may weaken your heart and Modern Window repair increase your chance of suffering from heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they may occur frequently enough to affect your standard of life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.

PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease. Regular PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are caused by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.

PVCs can trigger symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart racing a beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.

If you have many PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can lead to stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.

The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC starts in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.

When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may feel as if it's racing or pounding. If you've experienced a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.

Anyone who has suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. Those include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

If you have frequent PVCs even if you do not have any other symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger them, but many athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.

Often, a doctor will be able to determine if someone has PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. However, sometimes they will only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems in the event of any reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist determines 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 counter decongestants, and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medications that can control the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If you experience them frequently and frequently, your doctor might want to check for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You might also get an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) 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. It's not clear what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart issues. PVCs can increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercising.

A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are a result of physical activity. To determine if there are other causes for the increased beats an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.

Most people with PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication.

In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This could lead to a need for a heart transplant in certain people.