Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and can go away by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vitals signs. They may also order an Holter Monitor, which records the electrical impulses of your heart over a time of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to assess the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This delays the next heartbeat and causes an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the term ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
Some people do not experience any symptoms, whereas others experience palpitations. This can feel like a pounding heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. Other typical symptoms include fatigue, dizziness or a sensation of being sick.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a physician might suggest a change in the diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They can also prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and conduct a physical exam to determine their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time, or an electrocardiogram, which captures a picture of the electrical activity in the heart. In some cases, doctors may order blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
Sometimes, a pvc physician will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm problems or an electrophysiologist for further evaluation. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs are everywhere and are not usually harmful when used frequently or for a long time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common in people who are older, or those who have some type of heart disease. This can happen to healthy people who have a normal, normal heart. However, it's more prevalent in people who exercise regularly. It's not a serious condition, but you should inform your doctor if symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They do not require treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or not making the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will interview you and conduct an examination of your body and listen to your heart through a stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found it is recommended to have a 24-hour Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be needed to detect the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices can assist doctors determine whether you have PVCs, and their cause which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other causes.
You may be requested 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 cause PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to see how your heart responds to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to determine your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to find out if they are too low and can cause the development of PVCs.
Once your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled out any serious diseases and has made a decision about whether to treat them will be based on the extent to which they impact your life and how often they occur. If repairmywindowsanddoors happen only infrequently and do not cause symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any treatment that will reduce their frequency or severity.
If you have frequent PVCs that cause palpitations or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, like avoiding caffeine, smoking and stress levels that are excessive can also reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, that can be described as "skipped beats" or flutterings in the chest. These episodes can cause an feeling of pressure or fullness or they can make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not functioning as efficiently as it should. The frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart gets larger and becomes ineffective at pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This is due to the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or excess weight and a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can, avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to get sufficient magnesium.
Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These tests can help you identify any heart issues that could cause your PVCs. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking and adhere to a healthy diet program. This can increase your frequency of episodes.
A survey of healthcare staff on 14 wards of a normal hospital found that they were mostly aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat vascular catheter-related infections, but that their self-assessed compliance with these measures was low. Compliance improved after a feedback intervention however, it was still low on a few of the observed wards. This suggests that training on how to implement preventive measures is necessary, and that those wards that are not complying should be targeted for infection surveillance. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely involve further education and training for staff. It will also be necessary to ensure that the correct tools for implementing the preventive measures are available.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heart to skip beats or to flutter. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they can be an indication of serious heart issues.
In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They usually disappear on their own. If you've got many of them, it could cause dizziness or weakness. Consult your doctor if concerned. You might need to provide an medical history, and they may also conduct a physical examination in order to diagnose the problem. They may also want to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.
An ECG is a test that's quick that lets your health care provider detect the signal of your heartbeat as it moves through your heart for the course of a brief duration. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible in the test. Your doctor might also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You may also carry a device that records your heart rate over 30 days, called an event monitor.
Other heart tests might be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests will determine whether you are suffering from a condition like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor might also need to run an examination of your blood to determine what's wrong in your electrolytes, for example, low potassium levels or high calcium levels. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia.
You may be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who treats abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural the specialist may have to perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe it is. In some cases, a specialist may recommend a pacemaker to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs.