Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not harmful and will disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vitals signs. They may order an Holter Monitor that records the electrical impulses of your heart over a span of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause the sensation of racing or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in one pattern or repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the condition known as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
Some people do not experience any symptoms, while others experience heart palpitations. It could be an unsteady heartbeat or a skipping heartbeat. Other signs include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you're unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors could recommend a change in lifestyle or diet like limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They can prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will ask about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to check their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for longer periods of time or an electrocardiogram which records a snapshot of the electrical activity of the heart. Doctors may require blood tests in some instances to look for imbalances in electrolytes or drug toxicity.
A pvc physician may refer patients to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. The doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are everywhere and aren't usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for long periods of time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common in older people, or those who have some form of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. It is not a major problem, but it is important to tell your doctor if symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They don't require treatment. However when you do feel their heart has skipped an beat or is racing, it's crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible.
A cardiologist will first interview you and then perform an examination of your body by listening to your heart with the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular heartbeats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical signals in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified then an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to capture the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other causes.
You may be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good order and to look for structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You might also be asked to undergo stress tests to determine the response of your heart to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of PVCs. You can also have blood tests to determine your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to find out whether they are insufficient which could contribute to the formation of PVCs.
Once your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has eliminated any serious illnesses and has made a decision about how to treat them will be based on the extent to which they impact your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they happen only on occasion and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to lessen the frequency or severity of them.
If you experience frequent PVCs that cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as light-headedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your physician might suggest medication like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as smoking, caffeine and excess stress, can help lower the number of instances of these unusual pulses.
The following is a list with preventions.
A person may experience no symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can feel like "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest. Other occasions, they may make a person feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it normally does. Regular PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart expands and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Lack of exercise can trigger these episodes like stress or excess weight.
Some people have found that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) diazole sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium.
It is important to get regular health check-ups, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. window doctors near me repairmywindowsanddoors can help you identify any heart-related conditions that could cause your PVCs. You should also follow a healthy eating plan and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 regular hospital wards revealed that healthcare personnel were generally aware of preventive measures for the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of conformity to these guidelines was low. After a feedback intervention that improved compliance on certain wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that education is needed on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less conforming should be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will most likely require additional education and training of staff. It will also be important to ensure that the appropriate tools for implementing the preventive measures are readily available.
Symptoms
If you feel your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it could be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be harmless, or they could indicate that you have serious heart problems.
In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't an issue and they usually disappear by themselves. If you've got a lot of them, it can cause dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if worried. You may need to give your medical history and they might also perform a physical examination in order to determine the cause. They might also need to conduct an electrocardiogram or other tests.
A short ECG test lets your doctor see the pulse of your heart moving through your body over a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they will show in the test. Your doctor may also suggest a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer period of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device which tracks your heart's rhythm over 30 days.
Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. For instance, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). This can help determine the presence of a medical issue that could be the cause of your PVCs or heart valves, such as cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also have to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine what's wrong in your electrolytes, like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you suffer from PVCs, or another condition such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. If you have heart disease that is structural the doctor may need to perform additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can tell if you have damage to your heart and how severe it is. In some instances, the specialist might suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's causing your PVCs.