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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people with no cause for concern. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase your risk for heart failure. The rhythm of your heart is controlled by a group of fibers that are located in the upper right part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower chambers of your heart or ventricles. Causes PVCs are caused by the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, which causes an irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It may feel like the heart beats faster or feels fluttering. They can occur infrequently and cause no symptoms, or they can occur frequently enough to affect your quality of life. Your doctor might prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue. In most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of developing heart disease or other health issues. Over time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if they are caused by a heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to symptoms of heart failure. PVCs can trigger symptoms like a feeling of your heart racing a beat, or the feeling of your heart fluttering. You may also feel exhausted. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain foods or drinks. People who experience chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some medications like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the likelihood of developing them. If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may have to stay clear of certain foods and beverages like alcohol and caffeine. You can also lower stress by getting enough sleep and working out. If you have lots of PVCs The doctor may suggest a medical treatment called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which destroys cells that cause PVCs. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can cause stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening. Symptoms Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter the beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you might be advised to consult your physician in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue. The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then expand to push blood into the lungs, and then return to your heart and start the next pumping cycle. A PVC starts in a different location that is the Purkinje fibres bundle in the bottom left of the heart. When PVCs occur, they make the heart beat faster or feel as if it skipped one beat. If you've experienced a few episodes and no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, or ECG to gauge your heartbeat over a 24-hour period. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter Monitor that records your heartbeat and tracks the number of PVCs. Anyone who has suffered a heart attack in the past or suffer from cardiomyopathy -an illness that alters the way the heart pumps blood – should be aware of their PVCs and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, even if you do not have any other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These irregular heartbeats could be a sign of a problem with the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they happen often enough, it could weaken the heart muscle. Most people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal. Diagnosis PVCs might appear to be fluttering or skip heartbeats, especially when they're intense or frequent. People who experience a lot of them might feel like they're about to faint. They can also occur with exercise, though many athletes who get them don't have issues with their heart or health. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. They have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also use an ultrasound echocardiogram to examine the heart. A doctor will usually be able to determine if a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, like following an accident or surgical procedure. Ambulatory ECG monitors are able to detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They can be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a reason to be concerned. If your cardiologist determines your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all that's needed. If your symptoms are bothersome, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and over-the prescription decongestants, as well as reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, consult your doctor about medication that could help manage them. Treatment If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart problems or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You could also have an intervention to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation). If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which causes your heartbeat begins somewhere other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can cause your heart to feel as if it skips beats or has additional beats. It's not known what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs are more frequent as you age, and may occur more frequently during exercise. A physician should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram for a patient who has frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. window doctors near me may also perform an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are caused by physical exercise. To determine whether there are any other causes for the increased beats the heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI could be conducted. The majority of people with PVCs do not suffer from any problems and can enjoy an ordinary life. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems particularly if you have certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means the heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication. In studies of patients with PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats) the higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in a few people.