10 Pvc Doctor That Are Unexpected
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and can be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of fibers that are located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, which causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to impact your quality of living. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of heart disease. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially true if they are caused by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which may lead to symptomatic heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase their risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid certain drinks and foods, such as 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 Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an illness that can result in stroke. This is rare but can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor 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 corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to pump blood into the lung. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different place, from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. But if you have a number of PVCs, the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. He or she may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records your heart rhythm over time to see the number of PVCs you have.
Anyone who has suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.
Even if you don't have any other indications it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by an expert in cardiology if they occur frequently. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they happen often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs might be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly may feel weak. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who suffer from them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and see how it's working.
A doctor can often 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 can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems if there is any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that could help control the symptoms.
If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
If you suffer from PVCs the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. They're more common among people with heart problems however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent as we age and can occur more frequently during exercises.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs the doctor is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be performed to find other causes for the increased beats.
Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means that your heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood throughout your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower your risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. You should also try to get enough sleep and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. So if you take one of these drugs, it's important to follow the doctor's advice regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
In the window doctor of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This can lead to the need for a heart transplant in certain patients.