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How a VC Can Affect Your Heart Many people have occasional PVCs without any problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure. A bundle of fibers in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) typically regulates the heart's rhythm. Electrical signals are transmitted from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles. Causes PVCs are caused when the electrical impulse that typically starts your heartbeat in a part known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart—the ventricles—and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat or is fluttering. They may happen rarely and not cause any symptoms, or they may occur frequently enough to affect your daily life. If they occur frequently or cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine. PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs, however, can weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly true if the PVCs are caused by an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy, which could lead to heart failure. PVCs can trigger symptoms, such as a sensation of your heart skipping one beat, or even fluttering. You might also feel breathless. The fluttering may be more evident when you exercise, or consume certain drinks or foods. People who suffer from chronic anxiety or stress may have more PVCs, and some drugs like amiodarone digoxin, and cocaine can increase the chance of developing them. If you are experiencing occasional PVCs, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain drinks and foods, like caffeine and alcohol. window doctors near me can also take steps to reduce your stress levels, and get plenty of sleep and exercise. If you have a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest a medical procedure known as radiofrequency catheter ablation. It eliminates the cells responsible for them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who execute this procedure. It is typically effective in treating PVCs and reducing symptoms, however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In some cases it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that can cause stroke. It is not common, but it could be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractures or PVCs may cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are usually harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness. Normaly, electrical signals begin in the sinoatrial area, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, where blood pumps are located. The ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs and return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. But a PVC begins at a different spot 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 pound or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have only a few episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. But if you have a lot of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG to gauge the heart's rate over 24 hours. He or she might also suggest wearing a Holter Monitor which tracks the heart's rhythm and count the number of PVCs. If you've had an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy – an illness that affects the heart's blood flow – must take their PVCs seriously and consult an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist might prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat, such as beta blockers. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs even if do not have any other signs, you should see an expert in cardiology. These extra heartbeats can point to problems with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. But most people suffering from PVCs don't experience any problems. They are interested in knowing if the rapid heartbeats, or the skipping of heartbeats is normal. Diagnosis PVCs can feel like heartbeats that are fluttering especially if they are frequent and intense. People who get lots of them might feel like they're about to faint. Exercise can cause them, but most athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs can be detected in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These patches have sensors which record electrical impulses that come from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to examine the heart and observe how it's working. A doctor may be able to determine if a person is suffering from PVCs from a patient's history and physical exam. Sometimes it is possible that they only be able to detect PVCs when they examine patients for a different reason, like following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs and other arrhythmias. They are able to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concerns. If your cardiologist determines that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance is the only treatment required. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort, or cause you to be anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other over the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may aid. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight and drinking enough fluids can decrease the likelihood 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 are not frequent generally, they don't require treatment. If they occur frequently your doctor may be able to look for heart conditions or recommend lifestyle changes. You may also undergo an operation (called radiofrequency cathode ablation) to get rid of them. If you have PVCs The electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat begins somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) in the top right part of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips a beating or has additional beats. It's not clear what causes these, but they're more common in people who have other heart issues. PVCs are more frequent with age and might happen more often during exercise. If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs the doctor should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to determine if there is a structural heart problem. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the increased heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings the heart catheterization or an MRI is possible. The majority of people with PVCs are not affected and can live an ordinary life. However, they may increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and it is more difficult to pump blood throughout the body. A healthy, regular diet and regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in sodium and fat, and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are also crucial. Certain medications can increase the risk of getting PVCs. If you're taking one of these drugs, it's important to follow the doctor's advice about a healthy diet, exercise and taking your medication. In studies of patients with high PVC burdens (more than 20% of heartbeats) there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced myopathy in the heart was observed. Some patients may require a heart transplant.