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How a VC Can Affect Your HeartMany people experience occasional PVCs with no problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles.CausesPVCs are caused when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They may feel like the heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and have no symptoms or they can happen often enough to interfere with your quality of life. If they happen frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medication.For most people, PVCs are harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is especially the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can lead to symptomatic heart failure.The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering could be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or food items. People who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety can have more PVCs, and some medications like amiodarone digoxin and cocaine can increase the risk of developing them.If you have occasional PVCs your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.If you're experiencing a lot of PVCs the doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This eliminates the cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms but it doesn't stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can cause stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening.Signs and symptomsPremature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart appear to flutter or skip the beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, however you might want to consult your doctor if they are frequent or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to force blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts in a different place, 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 appear to be beating faster or slower. If you only have one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present your cardiologist may not be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs and your doctor might suggest that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. They may also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs.If you've had a prior heart attack or have cardiomyopathy -- a condition that affects how the heart pumps blood - should be aware of their PVCs and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat.If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs and if they happen often enough, can weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs do not have any problems. They would like to know if rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal.DiagnosisPVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they are frequent or intense. People who experience them often may feel weak. They can also occur during exercising, but most athletes who experience them don't have any problems with their health or heart. PVCs can show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart.Most of the time, a doctor will be able to determine if someone is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. Sometimes, they may only be able to detect them when they examine 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 detect heart disease when there is a concerns.If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, staying away from caffeine, alcohol and over-the-counter decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all aid in reducing the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medication that may be able to manage the symptoms.TreatmentIf PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent, they usually don't need treatment. If window doctor happen frequently, your doctor might want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. 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 that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has additional beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease, but it's not known what causes them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and they might occur 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. The doctor will also likely perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be conducted to determine other causes of the increased beats.Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can live a normal life. They may increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout your body.A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medications can increase your risk of getting PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication.Studies of patients who had 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 could lead to a need for a heart transplant in a few people.