How double glazing doctors Can Affect Your Heart
Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure.
The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.
Causes
PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in another area of your heart called the ventricles and triggers a mistimed beat. These extra beats are also known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could be frequent enough to impact your quality of living. If they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication.
PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart-related condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure.
The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase their risk.
If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid certain foods and beverages like alcohol and caffeine. You can also reduce your stress levels by getting enough sleep and exercising.
If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs the doctor might recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In certain cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could cause a stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contracts, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but you should talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness.
The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right part of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to push the blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left side of the heart.
When PVCs occur and the heart is affected, it may feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you have only just a few episodes and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not treat you. But if you have a large 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. The doctor might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.
People who have suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects heart's blood flow - should take their PVCs very seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle modifications. This includes abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as a beta blocker.
Even if you don't have any other indications however, you should have PVCs examined by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These heartbeats that are irregular can be a sign of an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs don't experience any problems. They would like to know if fluttering heartbeats or skipping heartbeats is normal.
Diagnosis
PVCs may appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. Exercise can trigger them, but many athletes who experience them do not have heart or health issues. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.
Often, a doctor will be able to tell whether the patient has PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes it is possible that they only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease in the event of any reason to be concerned.
If your cardiologist finds that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk to your doctor about medications that can control them.
Treatment
If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or occur rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to look for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. You may also undergo a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).
If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. PVCs are more prevalent among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and could be more frequent during exercising.
A physician should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are due to physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or an MRI is possible.
The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any complications and can lead an ordinary life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your body.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important to follow the advice of your doctor regarding healthy eating and exercising as well as taking your medication.
In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This can result in the need for a transplant in some individuals.