Why Pvc Doctor Will Be Your Next Big Obsession?
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs happen 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. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to impact your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.
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 relevant if they are triggered by a heart-related condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart racing an beat, or fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase their risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.
If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. This procedure is performed by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can lead to stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might need to see your doctor if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.
Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node, located in the upper right portion of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins in a different location, from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the lower left part of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel like it skipped the beat. If you experience only one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not treat you. However, if you have lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to determine your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. He or she may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track the heart's rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.
People who have suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects the heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. Those include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as beta blockers.
If you experience frequent PVCs even if do not have other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, can weaken the heart muscle. But most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. 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. People who get lots of them may feel they're about to faint. They can also occur with exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems with their heart or health. PVCs can be detected in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to determine if someone has PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may not be aware of them until they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and could be utilized if there's any concern of cardiac disease.
If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medications that can control them.
Treatment
If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to look for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) located in the upper right part of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more common in people with other heart conditions. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they may be more frequent during exercise.
If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs doctors is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical activity. To find out if there are other causes for the extra beats the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI could be conducted.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. But Repair My Windows And Doors can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
A regular, healthy diet and plenty of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is essential that you follow your doctor's advice regarding eating a healthy diet and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This can lead to the need for a heart transplant in certain individuals.