10 Unexpected Pvc Doctor Tips
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a wide range of people with no cause for concern. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur by the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase the risk of heart disease. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart skipping an beat, or fluttering. It is also possible to feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase their risk.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend that you avoid certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can cause stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but you should talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles expand to push the blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location in the Purkinje fibers are located in the bottom left of the heart.
When PVCs happen, the heart may feel like it is racing or pounding. If you have only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not treat you. But if you have a large number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure the heart's rate over the course of 24 hours. He or she might also recommend 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 have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects how the heart pumps blood - should be aware of their PVCs and talk to a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers.
Even if you don't experience any other signs, you should still get PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur often. These irregular heartbeats could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. repairmywindowsanddoors who have a lot of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's functioning.
A doctor may be able to identify if the patient has PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. But sometimes they might only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease if there is any concern.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medications that may be able to control these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If you have them often, your doctor may want to check for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
When you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more common in people with other heart issues. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more often during exercising.
A doctor should conduct an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are a result of physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
A regular, healthy diet and a lot of exercise can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough sleep and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of getting 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.
Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require a heart transplant.