The Lesser-Known Benefits Of Pvc Doctor
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that usually initiates your heartbeat in a region called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to impact your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen your stress levels by taking enough rest and exercising.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells responsible for them. This is done by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause a stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart seem to skip or flutter one beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. the window doctor begins in a different place, the Purkinje fibers are located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. But if you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heart rate over 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
Anyone who has suffered an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the method by which the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
Even if there aren't any other indications, you should still get PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These irregular heartbeats could signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may feel like heartbeats that flutter, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. They can also happen with training, even though many athletes who get them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and see how it's functioning.
A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes however, they might only be able to detect PVCs when they examine the patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can aid in detecting 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 troubling, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the drug decongestants and decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that may be able to manage these symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medicine. You may also undergo an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more often during exercising.
A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings an invasive heart catheterization or cardiac MRI can be performed.
The majority of people with PVCs do not have any issues and can lead the normal life. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. If you're taking one of these medicines it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are high (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Certain people may require a heart transplant.