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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart Many people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. If they happen frequently, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk of heart failure. The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart. Causes PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They may happen rarely and cause no symptoms, or they can happen often enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue. PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially when the PVCs are caused by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that can cause heart failure. The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or it flutters. You may feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more noticeable when you exercise, or consume certain foods or beverages. People with chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine may increase the likelihood of developing them. If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain foods and beverages like alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress and get plenty of sleep and exercise. If you're suffering from many PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is typically successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is a condition that can lead to stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening. Symptoms Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart seem to flutter or skip the beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, but you should consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or symptoms like dizziness or weakness. Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right-hand side of the heart. These signals descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. The ventricles contract to push the blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts in a different location and is located in the bundle of fibers known as the Purkinje fibers, in the lower left part of the heart. When PVCs occur they can make the heart feel like it is beating faster or slower. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure the heart's rate over a 24-hour period. They might also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that will track the heart's rhythm over time to see how many PVCs you have. Anyone who has suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy – a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood – must take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat. Even if you don't experience any other signs however, you should have PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular could indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. the window doctor want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal. Diagnosis PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering, particularly if they're frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly may feel weak. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who suffer from them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These are sticky patches that have sensors on them to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart. A doctor may be able to determine if someone is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical exam. Sometimes however, they might only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used if there's any concern of cardiac disease. If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. However, if your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are extreme, talk to your doctor about possible medication options to treat them. Treatment If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you have them often and frequently, your doctor might want to check for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them. If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that causes your heartbeat begins somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. It's not known what causes these symptoms, but they're common in people with other heart problems. PVCs are more frequent as we age and can occur more frequently during exercises. A doctor should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram for a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. They may also perform an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are caused by physical activity. To find out whether there are any other causes for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI can be performed. The majority of people who suffer from PVCs have no complications and live an ordinary life. However, they may increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat as well as restrict your intake of tobacco and caffeine. You should also try to sleep enough and manage stress. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential to follow the advice of your doctor regarding eating a healthy diet 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) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some patients may require a heart transplant.