How window doctor repairmywindowsanddoors Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat in a part known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician in the event of frequent heartbeats 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 part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. A PVC begins at a different spot in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel as if it skipped the beat. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heartbeat over 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
People who have suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, like beta blockers.
If you have frequent PVCs even if do not have other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. They can also occur with exercising, but most athletes who experience them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study 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, they may only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used if there's any concern of heart disease.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your physician about the medications that could help reduce the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs don't cause symptoms or are not frequent, they usually don't need treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercising.
A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other reasons for the extra beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and live an ordinary life. They may increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur 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 plenty of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications, it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some people may need a heart transplant.