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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any issues. If they occur often, PVCs may weaken your heart and increase the risk of heart failure. A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) usually controls your heart's rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart. Causes PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally initiates your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also known as the Sinoatrial or SA node) does not. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles, causing an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat or is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and not cause any symptoms, but they may occur frequently enough to impact your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue. PVCs are generally harmless and don't increase your risk of developing heart disease. Regular PVCs however, may weaken the heart muscle over time. This is particularly relevant if they are triggered by a heart-related condition like dilated cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy which can lead to symptomatic heart failure. The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart beats slower or flutters, and you may feel breathless. The fluttering may be more apparent when you exercise, or consume certain beverages or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase their risk. If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might suggest that you stay away from certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress by getting enough sleep and working out. If you have a lot of PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who carry out this procedure. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs, reducing symptoms but it does not stop them from recurring in the future. In some cases it can increase your risk of having atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions, also known as PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter one beat. These heartbeats that are not normal can be harmless, but you may want to consult your doctor when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue. The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, also known as ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles expand to pump blood into the lung. They return to the center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts at a different spot that is the Purkinje fibers are located in the bottom left of the heart. When PVCs happen they can make the heart feel like it is racing or pounding. If you only have one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not be able to treat you. If you have many PVCs and your doctor might suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the heartbeat over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which will record your heart rhythm over time to determine how many PVCs you have. If you've had a previous heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy – a condition which affects the method by which the heart pumps blood – must take their PVCs seriously and speak to a cardiologist about lifestyle modifications. These include avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, like a beta blocker. Even if you don't have any other signs however, you should have PVCs checked by a cardiologist if they happen often. These extra heartbeats can point to an issue with the structure of your heart or other health issues, and over time, if they occur often enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. But the majority of people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skipping heartbeats aren't normal. Diagnosis PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who get lots of them may feel they're about to faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram, or Holter monitor. They use sticky patches with sensors that record electrical impulses coming from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram to study the heart. A doctor can often tell the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining patients for a different reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs, as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems when there is a concerns. If your cardiologist concludes that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance could be all you need. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and other decongestants and reducing stress can help. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can all help to reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or extreme, consult your physician about the medications that could help reduce the symptoms. Treatment If PVCs aren't causing symptoms or are not frequent they aren't usually in need of treatment. If you have them often and frequently, your doctor might want to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medications. You could also have a procedure to get rid of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation). If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more common in people who have other heart conditions. PVCs may increase in frequency as we age and can occur more often during exercises. If a patient has frequent and painful PVCs the doctor is required to perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to determine whether the extra beats are due to physical activity. the window doctor , cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be performed to find other reasons for the increased beats. The majority of people with PVCs are not affected and live an ordinary life. They can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders that can be dangerous particularly if they happen in certain patterns. In some cases, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout the body. A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Sleep and stress are equally important. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions about eating well, exercising and taking your medication. In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of total heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was found. Certain people may require a heart transplant.