How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and can be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for childproof window doctor casement window repair (Blogbright`s recent blog post) concern. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

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

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) isn't. Instead, the impulse starts in a different area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to affect your standard of living. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.

For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially when the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure.

PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and window weatherstripping (url) cocaine, may increase the risk.

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

If you're experiencing lots of PVCs The doctor may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can result in stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or flutter. 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 are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into your lungs, and return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. A PVC starts in a different place, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the bottom left of the heart.

When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may feel as if it's racing or pounding. If you have only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge your heart rate over a 24-hour period. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.

If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps blood -and must be aware of their PVCs and talk to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

Even if there aren't any other symptoms however, you should have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, can weaken your heart muscle. But most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel weak. Exercise can cause PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.

A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they only be able to detect PVCs when they examine patients for a different reason, such as after an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used in the event of any suspicion of cardiac disease.

If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could help control the symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If you experience them frequently or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.

If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercises.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs doctors should 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 additional beats are a result of physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other reasons for the additional beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can lead a normal life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications, it is important that you follow your doctor's advice about eating healthy, exercising, and taking your medication.

Studies of patients with a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require an organ transplant.