poetradar99

How a VC Can Affect Your Heart Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure. The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart. window doctor is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart. Causes PVCs happen when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They can occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication. PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially when the PVCs are caused by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure. PVCs can cause symptoms like a feeling of your heart beating one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent if you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, such as digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase the risk. If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise. If you're suffering from lots of PVCs, he may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from returning in the future. In some instances, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can cause stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening. Symptoms Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart seem to skip or flutter the beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness. Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the top right side of the heart. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles expand to push blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart. When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel like it skipped one beat. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a number of PVCs the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge the heart's rate over the course of 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records the heart's rhythm over time to determine how many PVCs you have. Anyone who has had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which alters the way the heart pumps blood – must be aware of their PVCs and speak with a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. Those include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers. Even if you don't experience any other indications however, you should have PVCs checked 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 occur frequently enough, can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal. Diagnosis PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that flutter, especially if they are frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who get them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart. A doctor can often tell if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used in the event of any suspicion of a cardiac condition. If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only remedy required. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the drug decongestants and the reduction of stress could aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or severe, speak to your doctor about medications that could help control these symptoms. Treatment If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they rarely need treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to examine for other heart conditions and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them. If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has a few extra beats. PVCs are more prevalent among people who suffer from heart issues, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercising. If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are a result of physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other causes for the extra beats. Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body. A healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce the chances of developing PVCs. 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 reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication. Studies of patients with a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to the need for a transplant in some individuals.