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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are common and can be experienced by many people without causing any issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure. A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial or SA node) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles. Causes
In most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Regular PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially when the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure. The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress levels by getting 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. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/window-doctor-welwyn-garden-city/ is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In some instances it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can lead to a stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue. The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different place, the Purkinje fibres bundle at the bottom left of the heart. When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may feel as if it's beating faster or slower. If you have only just a few episodes and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heartbeat over time to determine how many PVCs you have. People who have had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects how the heart pumps blood- must be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat, such as beta blockers. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not have any problems. They are interested in knowing if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal. Diagnosis PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. They can also occur with training, even though many athletes who get them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to examine the heart and determine how it's working. A doctor can often tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also help detect PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used when there is a concern of heart disease. If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, talk to your doctor about medication that could help manage these symptoms. Treatment If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may need to examine for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them. If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more common in people with other heart problems. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and could be more frequent during exercises. If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other causes of the increased beats. The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. They may 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 has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body. A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk for PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines, it is important to follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication. Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need a heart transplant. |
