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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart Many 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 heart's rhythm is usually controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals are transmitted to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart. Causes PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) is not initiated. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different part of your heart—the ventricles—and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or is like it's fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor might treat them with medicine. For the majority of people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health issues. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is especially relevant if they are triggered by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which could lead to symptoms of heart failure. The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats faster or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise, or eat or drink certain foods or beverages. People with chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs and certain medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine may increase the likelihood of developing them. If you have occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience frequent PVCs, your physician may recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise. If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure eliminates the cells responsible for them. This is done by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is typically successful in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, but does not prevent them from returning in the future. In some cases, it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib) which can lead to a stroke. This isn't common but it could be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor in the event of frequent heartbeats or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles then contract to propel blood into your lungs and return to the heart to start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC starts at a different spot and is located in the bundle of fibers called the Purkinje fibers in the bottom left portion of the heart. When PVCs occur, the heart may feel as if it's beating faster or slower. If you've experienced just a few episodes but no other symptoms, your cardiologist probably won't treat you. If you have a lot of PVCs the doctor may recommend that you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for a period of 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor, which records the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs. People who have suffered previously from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy, an illness that affects heart's blood flow – should take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle changes. These include cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, for example, beta blockers. Even if you don't experience any other symptoms it is still recommended to have PVCs checked by an expert in cardiology if they occur often. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate an issue with the structure of your heart or other health conditions, and over time, when they are frequent enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. The majority of people with PVCs do not experience any problems. They just want to know that the fluttering or racing heartbeats aren't normal. Diagnosis PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently may feel faint. They can also occur during training, even though many athletes who suffer from them do not have any issues in their heart or health. PVCs may show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart. A doctor may be able to tell whether the patient is suffering from PVCs through a medical history and physical exam. However, sometimes they will only be able to detect them when they examine the patient for other reasons, such as following an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They are able to detect heart disease if there is any reason to be concerned. If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only remedy required. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and over the prescription decongestants, as well as the reduction of stress could aid. Engaging in regular exercise, keeping at a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If the symptoms persist or are extreme, talk to your doctor about treatments that could help control these symptoms. Treatment If PVCs do not cause any symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to examine for other heart issues and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have a procedure (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid them. If you suffer from PVCs in your heart the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the upper right corner of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may be more frequent during exercise. If the window doctor and painful PVCs the doctor is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the extra heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be performed to find other reasons for the extra beats. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems and can enjoy a normal lifestyle. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower the chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and fat, and limit your intake of caffeine and tobacco. Also, you should try to sleep enough and reduce stress. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs it is important to follow the doctor's advice regarding eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication. Studies of patients who had a high amount of PVCs (that's more than 20 percent of their total heart beats) discovered that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in some individuals.