Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not harmful and will go away by themselves.
window doctor will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They might order a Holter monitor, a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over the course of 24 hours. They might also order blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs happen when electrical impulses coming from the heart's lower chambers, or ventricles, misfire through a structure referred to as the SA node. This delays the next heartbeat and causes an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive PVCs.
While some people don't show any symptoms at all Others experience heart palpitations which could feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other typical symptoms include fatigue or dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell.
A lot of people who have occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change to lifestyle or diet, such as limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They can prescribe medication such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history and conduct a physical examination to determine their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for longer periods of time or an electrocardiogram which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity in the heart. Doctors may require blood tests in some instances to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body.
A pvc doctor might refer patients to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. The doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant.
PVCs are quite common and rarely cause any problems unless they happen frequently over a long time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most common in older people or those suffering from some form of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious concern however it is crucial to tell a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many, occasional PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. However those who do feel your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it's vital to see a doctor as soon as possible.
A cardiologist will start 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. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done to record the electrical signals in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found then you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be needed to record the irregular rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices can assist doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other factors.
An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to assess whether your heart is healthy and check for signs of structural problems that can lead to PVCs. You might also have an exercise test to determine how your heart responds to physical activity can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You may also undergo blood tests to check your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to determine if they are too low which could contribute to the development of PVCs.
If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose is based on the impact they have on your life and how often they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to recommend any treatment to decrease their frequency or severity.
However, if you have frequent PVCs that do cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your physician might suggest medication like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes like abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
The following is a list of preventions.
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which may feel like "skipped beats" or flutterings in the chest. These episodes can create a feeling of fullness or pressure, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. Regular PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart expands and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs often are caused by changes in the body's chemical chemistry. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Inactivity can trigger these symptoms and stress, as well as excess weight.
Some people have found that a change in diet can reduce their PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they're getting sufficient magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are essential and include annual physicals. These can help diagnose any heart issues which could be causing your PVCs. You should also follow a healthy eating plan and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 wards of a normal hospital revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures to avoid infections caused by vascular catheters However, their self-assessed compliance with these practices was not great. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain wards but was still low. This suggests that training is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can be used to guide the implementation of further quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This will most likely require further education and training for staff. It will also be important to ensure that the appropriate tools to implement the preventive measures are readily available.
Signs and symptoms
Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they may be an indication of serious heart issues.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They typically disappear on their own. However, if you suffer from several of them, they may cause weakness or dizziness. Consult your doctor if concerned. They might need to diagnose the issue by taking an medical history and giving you an examination. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests.
A quick ECG test lets your doctor see the pulse of your heart moving through your body over the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they will show on the test. Your doctor may also decide to conduct a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat over longer periods of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You could also carry a device that records your heart's rhythm over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor.
Other heart tests may be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. For example, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine whether you have an illness like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor might also need to do an examination of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes, like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, like anxiety disorders and anemia.
You may be referred to an electrophysiologist, an expert who specializes in treating abnormal heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease, this specialist might need to do other tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart has been damaged and the severity of the damage. In some instances an expert may recommend pacemakers to treat the condition which is causing the PVCs.