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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart A lot of people experience occasional PVCs without any problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure. The heart's rhythm is controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right corner of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers or ventricles. Causes PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically initiates your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also known as the sinoatrial node or SA node) isn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or feels fluttering. They can occur rarely and not cause any symptoms, but they can occur frequently enough to impact your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medication when they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue. For most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. A lot of PVCs however, could weaken the heart muscle over time. This is especially true if the PVCs are triggered by a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure. The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats faster or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise, or eat or drink certain drinks or foods. People with 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 experience occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you have frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol and caffeine. 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 may recommend a medical treatment known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This destroys the cells that are responsible for PVCs. This procedure is performed by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually successful in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can lead to a stroke. It is not common, but it can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can cause your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats can be harmless, however you might be advised to consult your physician if they are frequent or if you notice symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue. Normally, electrical signals begin at the sinoatrial junction, located in the upper right portion of the heart. These signals move down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. The ventricles contract to propel blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different location, the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left side 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 a few episodes, but no other symptoms, the doctor probably won't be able to treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs the doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs. If you've had previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood – should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist may prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat. If you have frequent PVCs, even if you don't have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular could indicate a problem in the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, can weaken the heart muscle. But the window doctor suffering from PVCs don't have any issues. They are interested in knowing if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal. Diagnosis PVCs may be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, particularly when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them regularly might feel faint. They can also happen with exercising, but most athletes who experience them don't have issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart. A doctor will usually be able to determine the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, for instance after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems can aid in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias, and can be used in the event of any suspicion of cardiac disease. If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance is the only treatment needed. If your symptoms are troubling or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as decreasing stress can aid. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are severe, talk with your physician about possible medications that can control the symptoms. Treatment If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you are frequently affected, your doctor may want to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them. If you have PVCs the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere different than the sinoatrial nerve (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's unclear what causes these, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercise. A doctor should conduct an ECG and an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study can be done to look for other causes for the additional beats. Most people who suffer from PVCs are not affected and can live the normal life. They could increase your risk for dangerous heart rhythm disorders, especially if they occur in certain patterns. In certain cases, it means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body. A regular, healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also important. Some medicines may also increase your risk for PVCs. So if you take one of these medicines, it's important 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 rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need a heart transplant.