A The Complete Guide To Pvc Doctor From Start To Finish
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
Many people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. However, if they happen 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) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or is fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to affect your standard of living. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medicine.
For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure.
The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase their risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can result in stroke. This is rare however it could be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, however, you should consult your physician in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.
Normaly, electrical signals begin 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 pump blood into the lung. They then return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different location in the Purkinje fibers are located in the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel like it skipped a beat. If you only have a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not be able to treat you. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.
People who have had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -which affects how the heart pumps bloodand should take their PVCs seriously and speak with a cardiologist about changes to their lifestyle. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat, like a beta blocker.
Even if you don't experience any other indications it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by an expert in cardiology if they occur frequently. These irregular heartbeats could point to problems with the structure of your heart or other health conditions and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any issues. They want to know if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health problems. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. window doctors may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
A doctor may be able to tell whether 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 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 if there is any concerns.
If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only treatment required. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, speak to your physician about the medications that could be able to reduce them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If they happen frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle modifications. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them.
If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more frequent in those with other heart issues. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more often during exercises.
If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs doctors should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other causes for the increased beats.
The majority of people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and can lead the normal life. They can increase your risk for 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 your body.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as reduce your intake of caffeine and tobacco. It is also important to get enough rest and manage stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs it is important to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.
Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.