A Guide To Pvc Doctor From Beginning To End

How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

PVCs are common and may be experienced by many people without causing any issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers in the upper right part of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically regulates your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that usually initiates your heartbeat in a part known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat or is fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of living. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medication.

For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health issues. Regular PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase the risk.

If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medicines. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain drinks and foods like alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can cause stroke. It's not common, Stained Glass Window Repair but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, may make your heart seem to flutter or skip a beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may need to see your doctor Misted when they occur frequently or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles expand to push the blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different location that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.

When PVCs occur, the heart may feel as if it's beating faster or slower. If you have a few episodes and no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.

People who have had a previous heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -an illness that affects how the heart pumps blood -- must be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, managing anxiety and stress and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you do not have other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any issues. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who suffer from them don't have issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. They have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.

Often, a doctor will be able to determine if a person has PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect cardiac disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. However, if your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat them.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may want to check for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle changes. You might also get a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and could be more frequent during exercises.

A physician should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be performed to find other causes for the extra beats.

The majority of people with PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, that means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. 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.

Studies of patients with a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require an organ transplant.