Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not risky, and they may disappear by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vitals indicators. They might order a Holter Monitor that records the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They may also order blood tests for checking your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This delay the next heartbeat, causing a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the term ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't have any symptoms at all Others experience heart palpitations which can feel like an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue, dizziness or a sensation of being sick.
Many people with occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician might suggest a change in the diet or lifestyle. For instance the restriction of caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They can also prescribe medications like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will ask about the patient's medical history and do a physical exam to assess their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer durations and captures the heart's rhythms over time. In some cases doctors may require blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant.
PVCs are everywhere and aren't usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is most prevalent in people who are older or those with some form of heart disease. This can happen to healthy individuals with normal, normal heart. However, it is more prevalent in people who exercise regularly. This is not a serious condition, but you should inform your doctor if symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur.
Treatment
For many, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or require no treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or slurring the beat, it's best to consult a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will then interview you and then perform an examination of your body and listen to your heart with the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular beats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical impulses of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected it is recommended to have you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or other portable ECG will be needed to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason behind them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicity, or other factors.
the window doctor , or an ultrasound of your heart, can be ordered to assess if your heart is healthy and to look for signs of structural problems which could cause PVCs. You may also be asked to take a stress test in order to determine the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of PVCs. You can also take blood tests to test your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium and other hormones to see whether they're low. This can lead to PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the treatment you choose to take depends on how they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they happen only on occasion and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to decrease the frequency or severity of them.
However, if you have frequent PVCs that cause palpitations and other symptoms, such as light-headedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your physician might suggest medication like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
The following is a list with preventions.
A person may experience no symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can feel like "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of pressure or fullness or they can make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and in a position to not pump blood.
PVCs often are caused by changes in body chemical balance. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. Inactivity can also trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excess weight.
Some people can find that a change in diet helps reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can, avoid foods that contain preservatives which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, disodium Inosinate, and diazole sodium (E282-283). They can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting sufficient magnesium and potassium.
It is crucial to undergo regular health checks, including yearly physicals and lab tests. These can help diagnose any underlying heart conditions that could be causing your PVCs. You should also not smoke and adhere to the healthy eating program. This can increase your frequency of episodes.
A survey of 14 regular hospital wards found that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures against the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of compliance to these guidelines was low. Compliance improved after a feedback intervention however it was still very low on a few of the observed wards. This suggests that training is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less conforming should be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. It is likely that this will require further education and training for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the appropriate materials are available for the implementing of the preventive measures.
Symptoms
Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heart to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias may be harmless, or they could indicate that you have heart issues that are serious.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They generally disappear on their own. If you have many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakening. If you're worried about them, consult your doctor about them. They may need to determine the problem by taking a medical history and performing an examination. They might also need to conduct an electrocardiogram or other tests.
An ECG is a test that's quick that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat as it travels through your heart over the course of a brief duration. The test will determine if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for a longer period of time. These can help differentiate PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You may also be wearing a device that records your heart's rhythm over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor.
Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the reason behind your PVCs. For example, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These can help find whether you suffer from a condition that may be causing your PVCs like mitral valve prolapse, cardiomyopathy or heart failure.
Your doctor may also have to conduct an examination of your blood to determine what's wrong with your electrolytes like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia.
You may be directed to an electrophysiologist, one of the specialists who specialize in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. If you suffer from structural heart disease, this specialist might need to conduct additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether you've damaged your heart, and how serious it is. In certain cases, a doctor might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's the cause of your PVCs.