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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from 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 nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally starts 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 and causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they could occur frequently enough to affect your standard of living. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.

PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.

PVCs can cause symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart skipping a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Some medications, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, may increase their risk.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs The doctor may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but does not prevent them from recurring in the future. In some instances it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could lead to a stroke. This isn't common however it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue.

The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right side of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles expand to push blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next cycle of pumping. However, louvred leaded glass window repair repair - perez-travis-4.technetbloggers.de, a PVC begins at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they make the heart pound or feel like it skipped a beat. If you experience just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. But if you have a number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor Replacement might suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heart rate over 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor window hardware repair which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.

If you've had a prior heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps blood -- must be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

If you experience frequent PVCs even if you don't have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur often enough, Loft window repair can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They are interested in knowing if the fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they're frequent or intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're about to faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience them do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's functioning.

Often, a doctor window restoration company will be able to tell whether a person is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical exam. Sometimes however, they might only be able to detect PVCs when they examine the patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can 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 has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to examine for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You may also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.

If you have PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins 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 has a few extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercise.

A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to determine if there are structural heart problems. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see whether the additional beats are due to physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be conducted to determine other reasons for the increased beats.

The majority of people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They could increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood through your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. So if you take one of these drugs it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication.

Studies of patients with an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in a few people.