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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart A lot of people experience occasional PVCs and have no issues. But if they occur frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure. The heart's rhythm is controlled by a bundle of nerve fibers situated in the upper right-hand part of your heart. This is known as the sinoatrial node or SA. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles or lower chambers of your heart. Causes PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that normally starts your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually starts in the ventricles and causes a mistimed heartbeat. 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 can occur infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to impact your daily life. If they happen frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medication. PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase the risk of heart disease. In time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart condition such as dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure. The signs of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel exhausted. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or have certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase their risk. If you have occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they're a frequent occurrence, you may have to avoid 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 have a lot of PVCs Your doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It destroys the cells that cause them. The procedure is carried out by a specialist, known as an electrophysiologist. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms, however it does not stop them from occurring in the future. In some cases it may increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) which could result in a stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, can make your heart seem to flutter or skip one beat. These heartbeats can be harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor in case you experience frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness. Normally, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial node located in the top right side of the heart. They descend to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles expand to push blood into the lungs, and then return to the heart to start the next cycle of pumping. But a PVC starts in a different location that is separate 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 feel as if it's racing or pounding. If you experience only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not treat you. However, if you have number of PVCs the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure your heart rate over the course of 24 hours. They may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record the heart's rhythm over time to determine how many PVCs you have. People who have suffered a previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy – a condition which affects the way the heart pumps blood – should take their PVCs seriously and speak to an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. This includes avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have other symptoms you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may indicate a problem in the structure of your heart or lungs, and if they occur frequently enough, can weaken your heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs don't have any issues. They are interested in knowing if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal. Diagnosis PVCs can be felt as fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially when they're frequent or intense. People who experience them frequently might feel faint. They can also occur during exercise, though many athletes who get them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart. A doctor is often able to tell whether a patient has PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. However, sometimes they will not be aware of them until they examine the patient for different reasons, like following an accident or surgery. www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and can be used if there's any concern of cardiac disease. If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance may be all you need. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If your symptoms continue or are severe, talk to your doctor 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 experience them frequently, your doctor may want to check for any other heart problems and recommend lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation). If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips a beat or has extra beats. PVCs are more frequent among those suffering from heart disease however it's unclear the reason behind them. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercising. If a patient is experiencing frequent and painful PVCs doctors is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out structural heart disease. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see if the extra beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion studies can be performed to find other causes for the additional beats. Most people with PVCs don't experience any issues and can live an ordinary life. They may increase the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout your body. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will lower the risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are also important. Some medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow the doctor's advice 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) discovered that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This can lead to a need for a heart transplant in a few people.