This Is The Myths And Facts Behind Pvc Doctor

How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure.

The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse begins in another area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they can also happen frequently enough to affect your standard of life. If they are very frequent or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor could treat them with medicine.

PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of heart disease. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart-related condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.

The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine may increase the chance of developing them.

If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to reduce your stress, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.

If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs, he may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from recurring in the future. In some instances, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause a stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter a beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might need to see your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is 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 expand to push blood into the lungs, and return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC begins in a different location, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you only have one or two episodes, and there are no other symptoms your cardiologist may not prescribe treatment. However, if you have number of PVCs and you have other symptoms, your doctor might recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heart rate over a 24-hour period. He or she may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heart rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have.

People who have suffered a previous heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy - an illness that affects way the heart pumps blood - should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. This includes cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.

Even if there aren't any other signs however, you should have PVCs examined by a cardiologist if they happen frequently. These heartbeats that are irregular can point to problems with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal.

Diagnosis

PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. People who experience them often might feel faint. Exercise can trigger PVCs, but a lot of athletes who suffer from them have no heart or health issues. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart.

A doctor may be able to determine if someone has PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to detect heart disease when there is a concern.

If your cardiologist finds that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, Window Seal Replacement staying away from alcohol, caffeine, casement stained glass window repair repair (www.Carnrich.com) and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, speak to your doctor about medication that could be able to reduce them.

Treatment

If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If you are frequently affected and frequently, your doctor might want to check for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate them.

If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located different than the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has 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 may occur more often during exercise.

A physician should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient that suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beats the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI is possible.

Most people who suffer from PVCs do not 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 instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.

A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can reduce the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is crucial that you follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication.

Studies of patients suffering from a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Certain people may require a heart transplant.