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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart Many people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure. The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart. Causes PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally triggers your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It could feel as if the heart skipped a beating or feels like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they may also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. Your doctor might prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue. PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure. PVCs can cause symptoms like a feeling of your heart beating a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. It is also possible to feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in people with chronic stress or anxiety. Some drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, can increase their risk. If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also lessen your stress by taking enough rest and working out. If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells responsible for them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. It is generally effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can lead to stroke. This isn't common however it could be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can make your heart appear to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but you should talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness. Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. window doctor move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to pump blood into the lungs. They then return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC begins at a different spot, from 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 beat or feel as if it skipped a beat. If you experience only a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the doctor will probably not treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor, which records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs. If you've suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -which affects the way that the heart pumps bloodand must be aware of their PVCs and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, as well as getting enough rest. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, like a beta blocker. If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms, you should consult an expert in cardiology. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they occur frequently enough, it could weaken your heart muscle. But the majority of people suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal. Diagnosis PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who experience them don't have any problems in their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart. A doctor can often tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes however, they might only notice PVCs when examining patients for a different reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and could be utilized if there's any concern of a cardiac condition. If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants as well as reducing stress levels can aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If your symptoms persist or are extreme, talk with your physician about possible medication options to treat these symptoms. Treatment If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or happen rarely, they usually don't need treatment. If they happen frequently, your doctor might be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle changes. You may also undergo an intervention 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 different than the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. They're more common among people suffering from heart disease however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency with age and might happen more frequently during exercises. A doctor should conduct an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. They should also conduct an exercise stress test to determine whether the additional beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other causes for the increased beats. The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any issues and can live a normal lifestyle. But they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm issues particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body. A healthy and balanced diet and a lot of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to get enough rest and reduce stress. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it's crucial to follow the doctor's advice about eating well, exercising and taking your medication. Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to the need for a transplant in some people.