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How windows doctor Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are common and can be experienced by a wide range of people without causing any problems. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure. The rhythm of your heart is usually controlled by a group of fibers located in the upper right part of your heart. This is called the sinoatrial nerve, or SA. Electrical signals travel from there to the lower heart chambers, or ventricles. Causes PVCs happen when the electrical impulse that normally initiates your heartbeat in a region known as the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node) doesn't. Instead, the impulse starts in a different part of your heart, the ventricles, and causes a mistimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, could feel as if your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They may occur infrequently without causing any symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to affect your quality of living. Your doctor may prescribe medicine when they occur frequently or cause dizziness, weakness or fatigue. PVCs are generally safe and do not increase your risk of developing heart disease. Frequent PVCs however, could weaken your heart muscle over time. This is particularly the case if they are caused by a heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy or 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 is fluttering, and you feel breathless. The fluttering can be more noticeable when you exercise or have certain foods or drinks. PVCs are more common for those who suffer from chronic stress or anxiety. Certain drugs, like digoxin, amiodarone or cocaine, can increase their risk. If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you are prone to frequent PVCs, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. You can also take steps to lessen your stress levels, and take advantage of plenty of rest and exercise. If you have many PVCs Your doctor might suggest a medical procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure destroys the cells that cause them. Electrophysiologists are the ones who perform this procedure. It is generally successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening. Symptoms Premature ventricular contracts, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or to flutter. These heartbeats can be harmless, but you should consult your physician when you experience frequent episodes or signs like dizziness or weakness. The electrical signals typically begin in the sinoatrial node, which is in the top right portion of the heart, and travel down to the lower chambers (or ventricles) that pump blood. Then, the ventricles contract to propel the blood into your lungs, and then return to the heart and start the next pumping cycle. However, a PVC starts in a different place and is located in the bundle of fibers, known as the Purkinje fibers, in the bottom left portion of the heart. When PVCs occur, the heart may appear to be racing or pounding. If you experience only just a few episodes and no other symptoms are present, your cardiologist will probably not prescribe treatment. 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. They may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor that records your heart rhythm over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have. If you've had previously from a heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy – an illness that affects heart's blood flow – should take their PVCs seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, reducing anxiety and stress, and getting enough rest. A cardiologist might also prescribe medication to slow heartbeat, like a beta blocker. If you have frequent PVCs even if you do not have other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats can be a sign of problems with the structure of your heart or other health issues and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they may weaken the heart muscle. Most people who suffer from PVCs don't experience any problems. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal. Diagnosis PVCs might feel like fluttering or skipped heartbeats, especially if they are frequent or intense. People who experience them often may feel faint. They can also occur with training, even though many athletes who get them don't have issues with their health or heart. PVCs may show up on tests such as an electrocardiogram or Holter monitor. These patches contain sensors that record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram that uses ultrasound to study the heart and observe how it's functioning. A doctor can often tell the presence of PVCs by looking at them and taking a medical history. Sometimes it is possible that they not be aware of PVCs until they examine a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and could be utilized when there is a concern of heart disease. If your cardiologist has determined that your heart is structurally healthy, reassurance might be all that's needed. If your symptoms are bothersome or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking enough fluids can all help reduce the frequency of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, speak to your physician about the medications that could be able to manage these symptoms. Treatment If PVCs aren't common or don't cause symptoms, they rarely require treatment. If they are frequent, your doctor might want to check for heart issues or suggest lifestyle adjustments. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation). If you have PVCs in your heart, the electrical signal which creates your heartbeat is located other than at the sinoatrial (SA) node that is located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart. This could cause your heart to feel like it skips beats or has extra beats. It's unclear what causes them, but they're more frequent in those with other heart problems. PVCs can become more frequent as you age, and might occur more frequently during exercises. If a patient experiences frequent and painful PVCs doctors should perform an ECG and an echocardiogram to rule out heart disease that is structural. They will probably also do an exercise stress test to see whether the extra beats are due to physical activity. A heart catheterization, cardiac MRI or nuclear perfusion study could be done to look for other causes for the increased beats. The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and live the normal life. But they can increase your risk of having dangerous heart rhythm issues, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In some instances, this means that the heart muscle gets weaker and has difficulty pumping blood throughout the body. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can lower your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and limit your consumption of caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally important. Some medicines may also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you take any of these medications it is crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations about eating healthy, exercising, and taking your medication. In studies of patients suffering from PVC burdens that are excessive (more than 20% of heartbeats), a higher rate arrhythmia-induced cardiac myopathy was discovered. Some patients may require a heart transplant.