Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and can disappear on their own.
Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for 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 request blood tests to check 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 causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, leading to the sensation of fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, while others experience heart palpitations. It can be felt as the sound of a beating heart or a rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a doctor may recommend a change to the diet or lifestyle. For instance, limiting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They might prescribe beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and conduct a physical exam to check their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture an image of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer durations and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. In certain instances doctors may request blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
A pvc physician may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are everywhere and are not usually harmful when used frequently or for long periods of time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more prevalent in older adults or people suffering from heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people with normal, normal heart. However, it is more common in those who regularly exercise. It's not a serious problem, but it is important to consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur.
Treatment
For many, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. However when you do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging a beat or is racing, it's important to consult a physician as soon as possible.
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'll also undergo an electrocardiogram, which captures the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG is required to detect the irregular rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason behind them, like an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicity, or other factors.
You may be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You may also be asked to undergo an exercise test to assess the response of your heart to exercise. Physical activity can increase your frequency of PVCs. You may also undergo blood tests to check your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to find out if they are too low, which can contribute to the development of PVCs.
If your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose is based on the impact they have on your life and how often they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to decrease their frequency or severity.
However, if you have frequent PVCs that trigger palpitations and other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your doctor may suggest medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can also reduce the frequency of instances of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
A person might not experience any symptoms at all from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may be felt as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can create an feeling of pressure or fullness 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 chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and in a position to not pump blood.
PVCs often are caused by changes in body chemistry. This is due to the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excess weight.
Some people find that changing their diet may help to reduce the amount of PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure that they get enough magnesium and potassium.
It is crucial to undergo regular health check-ups, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help diagnose any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. You should also follow an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare staff on 14 wards of a normal hospital revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat vascular catheter-related infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these guidelines was poor. After a feedback program, compliance improved on some wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training is required 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 inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. It is likely that this will require additional education and training of personnel. It will also involve making sure that the appropriate materials are in place for the implementation of the preventive measures.
Symptoms
If you feel your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it may be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be harmless, or they could indicate you are suffering from serious heart issues.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not a problem. They typically disappear on their own. But if you have many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakness. If you're worried about them, consult your doctor about them. They may have to identify the problem by taking an medical history and giving you a physical exam. They'll likely also need to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a quick test that will allow your doctor to detect the signal of your heartbeat moving through your heart in an extremely short period of duration. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible on the test. Your doctor may also suggest to do a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You may also be wearing a device that can record your heart rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor.
Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the cause of your PVCs. For example an cardiologist may test your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine if you suffer from a condition such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also be required to run a blood test to determine the problem with electrolytes. For window doctor repairmywindowsanddoors , you may have low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, like anemia and anxiety disorders.
You may be referred an electrophysiologist who can treat irregular heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease, this specialist might need to perform additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine if your heart is damaged and how severe it is. In some instances an expert may recommend a pacemaker to treat the condition which is causing the PVCs.