How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the double glazing doctor lower heart chambers or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs are caused when the double glazing doctor electrical impulse that usually initiates your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it's fluttering. They may occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially the case if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.

PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart beating an beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase the risk.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower stress by getting enough sleep window and door doctor working out.

If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can result in stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart seem to skip or flutter the beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might want to PVCs do not have any problems. They would like to know if irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's working.

A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes however, they might only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used if there's any concern of heart disease.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are causing discomfort 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 also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about medications that can control these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If they happen frequently, your Window & door Doctor might be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has additional beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people with heart problems however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more often during exercises.

A doctor should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other reasons for the increased beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can lead the normal life. They can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body.

A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you're taking one of these medications it's crucial to follow the doctor's advice about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.

In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Certain people may require an organ transplant.