Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually hazardous, and they could go away on their own.
To diagnose PVC doctors listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They may order a Holter monitor, a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over the course of 24 hours. They might also order blood tests to assess your thyroid and electrolyte levels. hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed and causes a feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can be seen as a single event, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the term ventricular tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't have any symptoms at all Others experience heart palpitations which can feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling of being unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If the window doctor , a doctor may recommend a change to the diet or lifestyle. For example, limiting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They can also prescribe medications, such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and conduct an examination to assess their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for longer periods of time or an electrocardiogram which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity of the heart. Doctors may require blood tests in some instances to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs.
A pvc doctor might refer a patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are fairly common and don't usually cause any problems, unless they happen frequently over a long period of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most prevalent in people who are older, or those who have any form of heart disease. This can happen to healthy individuals with a normal, normal heart. However, it is more common in those who exercise regularly. 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 people, sporadic PVCs might not cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. However those who do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging a beat or is racing, it's crucial to see a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will start by interviewing you and performing a physical examination, and monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular beats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done, which will record the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to record the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and their causes which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other factors.
You might be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine the health of your heart is good and to look for structural problems which could lead to PVCs. You could also have a stress test to see how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical activity can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine whether they're low. This can lead to PVCs.
After your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled out any serious illnesses, the decision of how to treat them will be based on the degree to which they're affecting your life and how often they occur. If they happen only infrequently and don't cause any symptoms the doctor is not likely to prescribe any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs that cause palpitations or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician might prescribe medications like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as smoking, caffeine and excess stress, can also help lower the number of instances of these abnormal pulses.
The following is a list of preventions.
A person might not experience any symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can feel like "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest. Other times, they can make a person feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or weight gain or a lack of exercise, can trigger these symptoms.
Some people find that changing their diet may help to reduce the amount of PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause disturbances in the heartbeat, for example disodium Guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting sufficient magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are important, including yearly physicals. These tests can help identify any heart issues which could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to avoid smoking and follow a healthy diet plan. This can increase your frequency of episodes.
A survey of 14 normal hospital wards found that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures for infections caused by vascular catheters, however their self-assessment of conformity to these guidelines was low. After a feedback program, compliance improved on some wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that education on how to implement the preventive measures is necessary and that the wards that are not complying should be targeted for surveillance of infection. This information could be used to guide the implementation of further quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This will likely require additional training and education for personnel. It will also mean making sure that the appropriate materials are available for the implementation of preventive measures.
Symptoms
If you feel your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it may be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they can be the sign of heart issues.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They generally disappear by themselves. If you've got a lot of them, it could cause dizziness or weakening. If you're worried you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They may need to determine the problem by taking a medical history and giving you a physical exam. They'll also probably want to do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a test that's quick that will allow your doctor to detect the signal of your heartbeat moving through your heart over a short duration. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor might also want to do a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, which is a portable device that tracks your heart's rhythm over 30 days.
Other tests for the heart may be needed, depending on the cause of your PVCs. For instance an cardiologist may test your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). This can help determine if you have a condition that is the cause of your PVCs like cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also be required to do an examination of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes such as low potassium or high levels of calcium. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can 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 have heart problems that are structural like an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will tell you whether you've damaged your heart and how serious it is. In some instances, the doctor might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's causing your PVCs.