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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

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

The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

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

PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. People who experience chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by taking enough rest and exercising.

If you're suffering from lots of PVCs The doctor may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys cells that cause PVCs. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to a stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.

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Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might need to see your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lung. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins 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 happen and the heart is affected, it may appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you have only one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.

People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. These include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as beta blockers.

Even if there aren't any other symptoms however, you should have PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen often. These extra heartbeats can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They just want to know that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs can feel like heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who get them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart and see how it's functioning.

A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease in the event of any concerns.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can aid. Engaging in https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/window-doctor-swindon/ , keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that could help reduce them.

Treatment

If PVCs don't cause symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may need to examine for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.

If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. It's not clear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercising.

If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other causes for the additional beats.

Most people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can live the normal life. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout the body.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to get enough sleep and reduce stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs it's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.

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