Why Pvc Doctor Is Right For You

How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

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

Causes

PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart beats faster or feels like it is fluttering. They may happen rarely and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medicine.

PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart-related 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 racing a beat, or fluttering. You may also feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase their risk.

If you have occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also lessen your stress levels by having enough sleep and exercising.

If you have many PVCs, your doctor windows may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. This isn't common but it could be life-threatening.

Symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness or fatigue.

Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node located in the upper right side of the heart. They move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into the lungs, and then return to your heart to start the next pumping cycle. But a pvc doctor near me begins in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart.

When PVCs occur they can make the heart appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs.

People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. These include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat.

If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if you do not have other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur often enough, can weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs can feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them often might feel faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs could show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.

Most of the time, a doctor will be able to tell whether someone is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect cardiac disease if there is any concern.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the drug decongestants and decreasing stress can help. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about medication options to treat them.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If you experience them frequently or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people who suffer from heart issues however it's unclear what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercise.

If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be performed to find other causes for the extra beats.

Most people with PVCs don't experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. They could increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some cases, that means the heart muscle gets weaker and has trouble pumping blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough rest and manage stress. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking any of these medicines, it is important that you follow the double glazing doctor advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet exercising, as well as taking your medication.

Studies of patients suffering from an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can result in the need for a heart transplant in certain patients.