How glass doctor Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically controls your heart rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, 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 can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medication when they occur frequently 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. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are caused by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase the risk of developing PVCs.
If you are experiencing occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to avoid certain drinks and foods like alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen your stress levels by having enough sleep and exercising.
If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can lead to stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.
The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts in a different location, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you've experienced a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you have many PVCs and your doctor might suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
If you have frequent PVCs even if don't have any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they're intense or frequent. People who get lots of them may feel they're going to faint. They can also happen with training, even though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues with their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.
A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. However, if your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about medication options to treat them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to look for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid 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 located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more frequently during exercising.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. 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 increased beats the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people with PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They could increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases, that means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium and limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you take any of these medicines it is crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking your medication.
In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in a few patients.