Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are typically not dangerous and may disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vitals indicators. They might order a Holter Monitor that records the electrical impulses generated by your heart over a span of 24 to 48 hours. They can also request blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, which is a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, causing the sensation of racing or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen as a single event or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive PVCs.
Some people don't experience any symptoms whatsoever Some experience palpitations, that can be felt as an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other signs are dizziness, fatigue or a feeling of being unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a physician might recommend a change in diet or lifestyle. For instance, limiting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They can prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to check their general health. They can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor, which is worn for longer time periods and captures the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may require blood tests in some instances to look for imbalances in electrolytes or toxic effects of drugs.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. This doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or malignant.
PVCs are everywhere and aren't usually harmful unless they are used regularly or for a long time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common in people who are older, or those who have any form of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with normal heart function, but it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. Usually, this isn't a serious concern but it's important to tell an expert if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They do not require treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or not making an entire beat, you need to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will begin by conducting an interview and then perform a an examination of your body, listening to your heart with the stethoscope to look for irregular heartbeats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical impulses of your heart, allowing you to identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified then an portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor is required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices can assist doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other causes.
You might 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 issues which could lead to PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to see how your heart reacts to exercise, since physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also get blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see if they're too low. This could cause PVCs.
After your doctor has determined that you're suffering from PVCs and has ruled out any serious diseases, the decision on how to treat them will depend on the degree to which they're affecting your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that trigger the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your physician may suggest medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which can be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure, or they can make you feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it normally does. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. window doctor is a condition where the heart gets larger and in a position to not pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, in addition to drinking alcohol or caffeine. A lack of exercise can trigger these symptoms like stress or excess weight.
Certain people find that altering their diet can reduce PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause disturbances in the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) diazole sodium (E282-283). They can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they're getting enough potassium and magnesium.
It is essential to have regular health check-ups, which include annual physicals and laboratory tests. They can aid in identifying any heart-related conditions which could be causing your PVCs. You should also follow an appropriate diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare workers on 14 normal hospital wards revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat vascular catheter-associated infections, but that their self-assessed compliance with these measures was low. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain areas, but was still very low. This suggests that education on the best ways to implement preventive measures is necessary and that the wards which are less compliant should be targeted for surveillance of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will most likely require further education and training for staff. It will also be important to ensure that the appropriate tools for implementing the preventive measures are available.
Signs and symptoms
If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it may be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they can be the sign of heart issues.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They usually disappear by themselves. If you're suffering from a lot of them, they may cause dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. You may need to give your medical history and they might also perform an examination of the body to determine the cause. They may also want to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.
An ECG is a simple test that allows your health care provider observe the signal generated by your heartbeat moving through your heart over the course of a brief period of time. The test will determine whether you have PVCs. Your doctor might also want to conduct an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You may also wear a portable device that can record your heart rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor.
Other tests for the heart may be needed, depending on the cause of your PVCs. For example a cardiologist could check your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine if you suffer from an illness like heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also need to run a blood test to determine the issue with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia.
You may be directed to an electrophysiologist, an expert who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. If you have heart disease that is structural the specialist may have to do other tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will help determine if your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances, the doctor may recommend an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is causing your PVCs.