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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are commonplace and can be experienced by a variety of people without causing any issues. However, if they happen frequently, 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 part 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 initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or is like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor might prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue. PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if the PVCs are caused by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can cause heart failure. The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you experience occasional PVCs your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress, and get plenty of sleep and exercise. If you're suffering from a lot of PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is usually effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from recurring in the future. In some instances, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can result in stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening. Symptoms Premature ventricular contractures PVCs, also known as PVCs, can cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you notice symptoms like dizziness, or fatigue. The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel blood into your lungs, and then return to your heart to begin the next pumping cycle. A PVC begins in a different location in the Purkinje fibres bundle at the bottom left of the heart. When PVCs happen and the heart is affected, it may appear to be skipping a beat or pounding. If you have only just a few episodes and there are no other symptoms, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. But if you have a large number of PVCs, the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to determine the heart's rate over 24 hours. He or she might also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heart rhythm and counts the number of PVCs. People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood – must take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow down the heartbeat. If you experience frequent PVCs even if you do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time, if they occur often enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not experience any problems. They simply want to be aware that the fluttering and skippy heartbeats aren't typical. Diagnosis PVCs can feel like heartbeats that flutter, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're going to faint. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who experience them do not have any issues with their health or heart. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart. Often, a doctor will be able to identify if the patient has PVCs from a patient's history and physical examination. Sometimes however, they might only be able to detect PVCs when they examine the patient for another reason, like following an accident or a 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 has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. However, if your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can reduce your episodes of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medication that may be able to manage the symptoms. Treatment If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or happen rarely they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them. If you suffer from PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which 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 a few extra beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more common in people who have other heart conditions. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercising. If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical activity. To determine if there are other causes for the extra beats, a heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI is possible. The majority of people with PVCs are not affected and live the normal life. They may increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body. A healthy, regular diet and a lot of exercise can help reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid window doctor that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Stress and sleep are also important. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking one of these medications it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication. In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. This could lead to the need for a transplant in certain patients.