Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs), are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are typically not dangerous and may disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vitals signs. They may order an Holter monitor which tracks your heart's electrical impulses over the course of 24 hours. They may also order blood tests for checking 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 delays the next heartbeat, causing the feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. Doublets are PVCs that occur in a series of. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive ones.
Some people don't experience any symptoms whatsoever, others feel palpitations, that can be felt as the heart beating faster or slower. Other signs are dizziness, fatigue or feeling unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If windows doctor is experiencing frequent episodes, a doctor might suggest a change in diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They may prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and perform an examination to determine their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor, which is worn for longer durations and records the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may require blood tests in some instances to check for electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity.
Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist in heart rhythm issues or an electrophysiologist for further evaluation. The doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are everywhere and are not usually harmful when used frequently or for a long period of time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. It is more common in older people, or those who have some type of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with normal heart function, but this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious concern but it's important to consult your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They don't require treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or slurring a beat, it's best to consult a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will first interview you and then perform an examination of your body and listen to your heart with the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done, which will record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified it is recommended to use an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs and their causes, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other causes.
You may be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine the health of your heart is in good order and to look for structural problems which could lead to PVCs. You might also be required to undergo stress tests to determine the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase your frequency of PVCs. You can also get blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to determine whether they're insufficient. This could cause PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment you choose to take will depend on how they affect your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will recommend any medication to lessen their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that can trigger palpitations or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes like avoiding caffeine, smoking and stress, can also decrease the frequency of these irregular pulses.
The following is a list of preventatives.
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest, and other times, they can make a person feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart isn't pumping as efficiently as it normally does. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and unable to pump blood.
PVCs often are caused by changes in body chemical balance. This can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain and a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes.
Some people find that changing their diet may help to reduce PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause disturbances in the heartbeat, for example disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium.
Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These can help diagnose any heart issues that could be the cause of your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 regular hospital wards showed that healthcare personnel were generally aware of preventive measures for the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of compliance to these procedures was not high. After a feedback program the compliance level improved on a few wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training is required to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. This information can then be used to guide the implementation of additional quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This could involve further education and training for personnel. It is also necessary to ensure that the appropriate materials for implementing the preventive measures are available.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heart to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they can be a sign of serious heart problems.
In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They usually disappear on their own. If you've got many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakening. Speak to your doctor if you are concerned. You might need to provide an medical history, and they may also conduct an examination of the body to diagnose the problem. They'll also probably want to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the heartbeat signal moving through your body over a short period of time. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor might also want to do a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, which is a portable device which records your heart rhythm for 30 days.
Other heart tests may be required, depending on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can determine whether you are suffering from an illness such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also have to perform a blood test to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, including anemia and anxiety disorders.
You may be referred a specialist in electrophysiology, who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to perform other tests if you suffer from structural heart diseases like a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will tell you whether you've suffered damage to your heart, and how serious it is. In some instances, the doctor might suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying issue the cause of your PVCs.