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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are common and can be experienced by a variety of people without causing any problems. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the chance of suffering from heart failure. The heart's rhythm is controlled by a group of nerve fibers situated in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. window doctor travel from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles. Causes PVCs happen by the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart—the ventricles—and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they can happen often enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue. For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially true if the PVCs result from a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure. The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase their risk. If you are experiencing occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to stay clear of certain drinks and foods, such as caffeine and alcohol. 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. This destroys cells that cause PVCs. This is done by a specialist called an electrophysiologist. The treatment is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractures, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you may be advised to consult your physician when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue. Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node, located in the upper right-hand side of the heart. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) which pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and return to the heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. However, a PVC starts at a different spot, from the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, located in the bottom left portion of the heart. When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat or feel like it skipped one beat. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat for 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs. People who have suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which affects the way that the heart pumps blood — should take their PVCs seriously and speak with a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if 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 occur often enough, they can weaken your heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal. Diagnosis PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them often might feel faint. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who experience them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. They have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart. A doctor may be able to identify if a person is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine patients for a different reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used if there's any concern of a cardiac condition. If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all you need. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible treatments that could help control the symptoms. Treatment If PVCs are rare or don't cause symptoms, they do not usually require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may want to check for heart problems or suggest lifestyle modifications. You could also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to eliminate of them. If you have PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes these, but they're more common in people with other heart problems. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and they might occur more frequently during exercise. If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor may also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be conducted to determine other causes of the extra beats. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can lead a normal life. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems especially if you are suffering from certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means the heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood through your 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 caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking any of these medications it is essential that you follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking your medication. In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of total heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This can lead to the need for a transplant in certain people.