What Is Pvc Doctor And How To Use It
How a VC Can Affect Your Heart
PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.
The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a group of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that usually begins your heartbeat in a part known as the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart called the ventricles and triggers an untimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They may occur infrequently, causing no symptoms, but they may be frequent enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue.
PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.
PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart skipping one beat, or even the feeling of your heart fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. People who experience chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid certain foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels by taking enough rest and exercising.
If you have many PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but it doesn't stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can cause stroke. This is rare but it could be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, however, you should consult your physician if you have frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs, and return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC starts in a different place, from the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the left-hand side of the heart.
When PVCs occur, they can make the heart pound or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs and your doctor might suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs.
If you've had a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the heart's blood flow - must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.
If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats 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. However, most people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.
Diagnosis
PVCs can feel like heartbeats that flutter, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can trigger them, but many athletes who experience them have no heart or health problems. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a 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 study the heart and observe how it's functioning.
the window doctors will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by examining them and taking their medical history. But sometimes they might only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease in the event of any concerns.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about possible medications that can control the symptoms.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle changes. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them.
If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent as we age and can occur more often during exercises.
If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are related to physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI can be performed.
Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They could increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.
A healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. It is also important to get enough rest and reduce stress. Some medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications it is important to follow the doctor's advice regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from high PVC burdens (more than 20% of the total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some patients may require an organ transplant.