Why Is Everyone Talking About Pvc Doctor Right Now How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs and have no issues. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk for heart failure.

A bundle of fibers located in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) isn't. Instead, the impulse begins in another area of your heart, the ventricles, and causes a wrongly timed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They may happen rarely and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication if they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.

In most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone, and cocaine, may increase their risk.

If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain foods and beverages like alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise.

If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can cause stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness.

The electrical signals typically begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the upper right side of the heart. They travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart to begin the next pumping cycle. But a PVC begins in a different location that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel as if it's racing or pounding. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. If you have many PVCs and your doctor might suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.

Anyone who has had a previous heart attack or suffer from cardiomyopathy -- a condition that alters the way the heart pumps bloodand must be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

Even if you don't have any other signs it is still recommended to have PVCs examined by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time, if they occur often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not have any issues. They want to know if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, particularly when they are frequent or intense. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. Exercise can trigger them, but many athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health issues. PVCs can be detected on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist might also use an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to examine the heart and see how it's functioning.

A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, they may only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect heart disease if there is any reason to be concerned.

If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the prescription decongestants, as well as the reduction of stress could help. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also reduce your episodes of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that could help manage them.


Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which 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. window doctor near me are more prevalent among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercise.

A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be conducted to determine other reasons for the additional beats.

Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can lead the normal life. They can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some instances, this means the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood through your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet will reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat and limit caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough rest and manage stress. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you're taking one of these medicines it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.

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