Why It's Important to See a Doctor

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually dangerous, and they can disappear on their own.

To diagnose PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital signs. They may also order an Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a time of 24 to 48 hours. They may also order blood tests for checking your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.

Diagnosis

PVCs happen when electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure referred to as the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause the sensation of fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive PVCs.

Some people do not experience any symptoms, but others experience heart palpitations. It can be felt as a pounding heartbeat or a slurred heartbeat. Other common symptoms are tiredness and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being sick.

Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a doctor might recommend a change in diet or lifestyle. For instance, limiting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They may also prescribe medication like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.

Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to determine their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms over longer durations, or an electrocardiogram, which captures a picture of the electrical activity in the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in certain cases to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body.

Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm issues or an electrophysiologist to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.

PVCs are fairly frequent and usually don't cause any issues, except when they are frequent over a long time. This can lead to a weakened in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is more prevalent in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. Usually, this isn't an issue to worry about however it is crucial to consult your doctor if you experience symptoms like fainting or fatigue.

Treatment

For many people, occasional PVCs may not cause any symptoms or need no treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or slurring an entire beat, you need to see a doctor right away.

A cardiologist begins by conducting an interview and then perform a an examination of your body, listening to your heart with the stethoscope to look for irregular beats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been discovered then an portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to capture the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the cause of them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicities, or any other cause.

An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to assess if your heart is healthy and to look for signs of structural problems which could cause PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to see how your heart responds to exercise, as physical activity can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to determine your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to determine whether they are low and can cause the formation of PVCs.

If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the treatment you choose to take will depend on how they affect your life and the frequency they occur. If they only occur occasionally and do not cause symptoms the doctor is not likely to prescribe any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity.

If you experience frequent PVCs, which can cause palpitations or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, such as abstaining from smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can also reduce the frequency of these irregular pulses.

The following is a list of preventions.

PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest. Other times, they can make a person feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. the door doctor frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart gets larger and becomes ineffective at pump blood.

PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical chemistry. This includes the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, in addition to drinking caffeine or alcohol. Lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes, as can stress or excess weight.

Certain people find that changing their diet can reduce the amount of PVCs. They can, for example avoid foods that contain preservatives which can disrupt the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium.

Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. They can aid in identifying any underlying heart conditions that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking and adhere to the healthy eating plan. This could increase the frequency of episodes.

A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 wards of a normal hospital showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-related infections, but that their self-assessed compliance with these guidelines was not great. After a feedback program, compliance improved on some wards but was still low. This suggests that training is required on how to implement preventive measures, and that wards that are less conforming should be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. It is likely that this will require more education and training for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the appropriate materials are in place for the implementation of preventive measures.

Symptoms

If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it may be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they could be a sign of serious heart problems.

In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't a problem, and they generally disappear by themselves. If you've got a lot of them, it could cause dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned. You might be required to provide your medical history and they might also perform an examination of the door doctor body to determine the cause. They might also conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests.

A quick ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the pulse of your heart going through your body over a a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll show up on the test. Your doctor may also suggest to perform a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat for longer durations of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You may also be wearing a device that records your heart rate over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor.

Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For example, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests can reveal whether you suffer from a issue that could be responsible for your PVCs, such as mitral valve prolapse, cardiomyopathy or heart failure.

Your doctor may also need to perform tests on your blood to identify the issue with electrolytes. For instance, you may have low potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This could indicate that you suffer from PVCs or another problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.

You may be referred to an electrophysiologist who treats abnormal heart rhythms. If you have heart disease that is structural the specialist may have to conduct additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can tell whether you've damaged your heart and how severe it is. In some instances, the doctor might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's the cause of your PVCs.