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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are common and can be experienced by many people with no cause for concern. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase your risk of heart failure. The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles. Causes PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart—the ventricles—and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels like it's fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue. For most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Frequent PVCs however, may 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 could lead to symptoms of heart failure. PVCs can trigger symptoms such as a feeling of your heart beating a beat, or fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more noticeable if you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs and certain drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them. If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. window doctor can also take steps to lessen your stress and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise. If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent 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 result in stroke. This isn't common, but it can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contracts PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor when you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness. Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, where blood pumps are located. Then, the ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs and then return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC begins in a different place that is separate from the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart. When PVCs occur, they cause the heart pound or feel like it skipped the beat. If you experience only a few episodes, and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heart rate over a 24-hour period. They may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have. Anyone who has suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood – must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. Those include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow the heartbeat, for example, a beta blocker. If you experience frequent PVCs even if you don't have any other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal. Diagnosis PVCs might appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. People who get lots of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also happen with training, even though many athletes who suffer from them don't have any problems in their heart or health. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to look at the heart and determine how it's working. A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will only notice them while examining the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a concerns. If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medications that could help control them. Treatment If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they don't usually require treatment. If they are frequent your doctor may be able to look for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them. When you have PVCs The electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems, but it's not known the reason behind them. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercise. If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are related to physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be conducted to determine other causes of the additional beats. Most people with PVCs do not have any issues and can lead an ordinary life. They may increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout the body. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. It is also important to get enough rest and manage stress. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. So if you take one of these drugs it is important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication. Studies of patients suffering from a high burden of PVCs (that's more than 20% 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 people.