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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. If they are frequent, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your chance of suffering from heart failure. The heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the lower heart chambers or ventricles. Causes PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically begins your heartbeat at a point known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) isn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles, causing an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to interfere with your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue. For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and do not increase the risk of heart disease or other health problems. A lot of PVCs however, may weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly when the PVCs are caused by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy that could lead to heart failure. The symptoms 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, such as digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can also increase the risk. If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a frequent occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower your stress by having enough sleep and exercising. If you have many PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out 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 some cases, it can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in a stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contracts or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or be fluttering. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, but you might need to see your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you experience symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand part of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles contract to force blood into the lungs. They return to the center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle in the left side of the heart. When PVCs occur they can make the heart appear to be racing or pounding. If you have just a few episodes but no other symptoms, the cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you've got a large number of PVCs, the doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heart rate over a 24-hour period. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs. Anyone who has suffered an earlier heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects the way the heart pumps blood – should take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. Those include the avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough sleep. A cardiologist might prescribe medications to slow heartbeat, like beta blockers. Even if there aren't any other symptoms it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an cardiologist if they occur frequently. These extra heartbeats can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they could weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They just want to be aware that the fluttering and racing heartbeats aren't normal. Diagnosis PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering particularly if they're frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. They can also happen with training, even though many athletes who experience them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs can show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and observe how it's working. Often, a doctor will be able to tell whether someone is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical examination. However, sometimes they will only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after a surgery or accident. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to detect cardiac disease if there is any concerns. If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all that's needed. However, if your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, speak to your doctor about possible medications that can control the symptoms. Treatment If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you experience them frequently, your doctor may want to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also undergo a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them. If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. It can feel like your heart skips a beat or is beating faster. It's unclear what causes these symptoms, but they're frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs are more likely to occur as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercise. If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs, a physician should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. The doctor will also perform an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are related to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be done to look for other reasons for the additional beats. Most people with PVCs do not suffer from any complications and can lead a normal lifestyle. They could increase your risk for heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lower your chances of developing PVCs. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium as well as limit caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to sleep enough and manage stress. window doctor can also increase your risk for PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication. Studies of patients with a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher risk of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to a need for a heart transplant in a few people.