Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually hazardous, and they could go away by themselves.
Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and check other vitals indicators. They might order a Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a span of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to determine your thyroid and electrolyte levels. hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs occur when electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This delays the next heartbeat which can cause an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the condition known as ventricular tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't have any symptoms at all, others feel palpitations, that can be felt as a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other signs include dizziness, fatigue, or feeling unwell.
Many people who have occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change to lifestyle or diet including a reduction in alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may also prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will ask about the person's medical history and conduct a physical exam to determine their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms over longer periods of time, or an electrocardiogram, which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity in the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in some instances to look for imbalances in electrolytes or drug toxicity.
A pvc doctor might refer a patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are fairly common and rarely cause any issues, unless they occur frequently over a long time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older adults or people suffering from heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people with normal, normal heart. However, it is more prevalent among those who regularly exercise. It's not a serious condition, but you should inform your doctor if symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They do not require treatment. But when you do feel their heart has skipped an beat or is racing, it's crucial to speak to a doctor as soon as you can.
A cardiologist will begin by conducting an interview and then perform a a physical exam, listening to your heart with the stethoscope to look for irregular beats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram that captures the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found it is recommended to have an all-day Holter monitor or another portable ECG is required to detect the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs, and their cause, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.
An echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to determine whether your heart is healthy and to look for signs of structural problems which could cause PVCs. You could also have a stress test to check how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical activity can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also have blood tests to test your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium and other hormones to determine whether they're low. This could cause PVCs.
If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the decision to treat them is based on the impact they have on your life and the frequency they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that trigger the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your physician may suggest medications for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can reduce the frequency of these irregular pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which can be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause a fullness or pressure in the chest, and other times, they can make a person feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart isn't functioning as efficiently as it should. The frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart expands and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical chemistry. This includes the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well as drinking caffeine or alcohol. Lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excess weight.
Certain people find that a change in their diet helps to reduce their PVCs. They can, for example avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and disodium Inosinate, and diazole Sodium (E282-283). They can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they're getting sufficient magnesium and potassium.
It is essential to have regular health check-ups, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help diagnose any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 wards of a normal hospital found that they were mostly aware of the preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-related infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these measures was poor. After a feedback program, compliance improved on some wards but was still low. This suggests that training is needed on how to implement preventive measures, and that wards that are less than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require further training and education for personnel. It will also be important to ensure that the appropriate tools for implementing the preventive measures are in place.
Symptoms
If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be harmless, but they could be a sign that you have heart issues that are serious.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They usually disappear on their own. But if you have many of them, they can lead to dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about them. They may need to determine the problem by taking an medical history and conducting an examination. They may also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a simple test that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat as it moves through your heart in a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they will show in the test. Your doctor may also decide to conduct a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer durations of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You might also carry a device that can record 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 reason behind your PVCs. For instance a cardiologist could check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). the window doctor will determine if you suffer from an illness like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also need to run tests on your blood to identify the problem with electrolytes. For example, low potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, such as anemia and anxiety disorders.
You might be referred to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. The doctor may be required to perform other tests if you are suffering from structural heart diseases like the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will tell you if you have damage to your heart, and how serious it is. In certain cases an expert may recommend pacemakers to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs.