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How the glass doctor Can Affect Your Heart PVCs are common and may be experienced by a variety of people with no cause for concern. However, if they happen frequently, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure. A bundle of fibers located in the upper right-hand corner of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically regulates your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to ventricles or lower chambers of your heart. Causes PVCs occur when the electrical impulse that typically initiates your heartbeat at a point called the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial or SA Node) doesn't. The impulse actually begins in the ventricles and causes an untimed heartbeat. These extra beats, called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, may feel like your heart skipped a beat, or it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They can happen infrequently and have no symptoms or they may occur frequently enough to interfere with your daily life. If they are very frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue, your doctor may treat them with medicine. PVCs are generally harmless and do not increase your risk of heart disease. In time, repeated PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if the PVCs are triggered by conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure. The symptoms of PVCs include feeling like your heart beats slower or is fluttering, and you feel exhausted. The fluttering could be more evident when you exercise or consume certain drinks or foods. PVCs are more prevalent in those suffering from chronic anxiety or stress. Certain medications, like digoxin, amiodarone and cocaine, may increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you experience occasional PVCs Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If they are a regular occurrence, you may need to avoid some foods and beverages like caffeine and alcohol. You can also reduce your stress levels by having enough sleep and working out. If you've got a lot of PVCs Your doctor might recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells that are responsible for them. This is done by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. The treatment is usually effective in treating PVCs which reduce symptoms, but it does not stop them from becoming recurring in the future. In certain instances, it can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an illness that can result in stroke. It is not common however it could be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs can cause your heart to skip or flutter. These extra heartbeats are harmless, but you may need to see your doctor when they occur frequently or if you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. The normal electrical signals start in the sinoatrial region, which is in the upper right-hand corner of the heart. They then move to the lower chambers, or ventricles, that pump blood. The ventricles expand to force blood into the lung. They return to the heart's center to begin the next cycle of pumping. A PVC starts in a different place that is the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left side 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, but no other symptoms, your doctor will probably not treat you. If you've got a lot of PVCs, your doctor may suggest you undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heartbeat for 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that records your heart rhythm over time to determine the number of PVCs you have. People who have suffered an earlier heart attack or have suffered from cardiomyopathy – an illness that affects method by which the heart pumps blood – should take their PVCs very seriously and consult a cardiologist regarding lifestyle modifications. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking, reducing stress and anxiety and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist can prescribe beta blockers to slow the heartbeat. If you experience frequent PVCs even if do not have any other signs, you should see a cardiologist. These extra heartbeats may signal a problem with the structure of your lungs or heart, and if they occur frequently enough, can weaken your heart muscle. However, most people suffering from PVCs do not experience any issues. They want to know if the irregular heartbeats or fluttering is normal. Diagnosis PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. Patients who have a lot of them may feel they're going to faint. Exercise can cause them, but many athletes who experience them do not have heart or health problems. PVCs may show up in tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical impulses from your heart. A cardiologist could also employ an echocardiogram, which makes use of ultrasound to study the heart and determine how it's working. A doctor is often able to tell the presence of PVCs by conducting a thorough examination and taking a medical history. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason such as following an accident or a surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitoring systems also assist in detecting PVCs and other arrhythmias and they might be used in the event of any suspicion of a cardiac condition. If your cardiologist determines that your heart is structurally normal, reassurance will be the only treatment required. If your symptoms are troubling or cause you to feel anxious, staying away from alcohol, caffeine and over-the counter decongestants, and reducing stress may help. Regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can also decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medications that could be able to reduce them. Treatment If PVCs don't cause symptoms or occur rarely generally, they don't require treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to look for other heart conditions and suggest lifestyle changes or medication. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation). If you suffer from PVCs, the electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat starts somewhere outside of the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This could cause it to feel like your heart skips beats or has a few extra beats. They're more common among people with heart problems however, it's not clear the reason behind them. PVCs may increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercise. A physician should perform an ECG along with an echocardiogram on a patient who suffers from frequent and painful PVCs to rule out structural heart diseases. The doctor may also conduct an exercise stress test to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical activity. To find out whether there are other reasons for the extra beatings, a heart catheterization or a cardiac MRI is possible. The majority of people who suffer from PVCs do not have any issues and can live an ordinary life. However, they can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm problems, especially if you have certain patterns of them. In certain cases, it means that your heart muscle gets weaker and is having difficulty pumping blood throughout your body. A healthy, regular diet and plenty of exercise can reduce your chances of developing PVCs. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sodium, and you should also limit caffeine and tobacco. Sleep and stress are equally crucial. Certain medicines can also increase the risk of developing PVCs. If you are taking one of these medicines it is 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 percent of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher rate of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Some people may need a heart transplant.