Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs), are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not harmful and will be cured by themselves.
To diagnose PVC doctors listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital signs. They might order an Holter monitor which is a device that records your heart's electrical impulses over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, leading to an experience similar to racing or skipped beats. PVCs may occur alone or in 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 experience heart palpitations which can feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue or dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell.
Many people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors could suggest a change in diet or lifestyle like limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may also prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history, and then perform a physical examination to assess their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may require blood tests in some instances to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body.
Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs are all over the place and are not usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long period of time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older people or those with heart disease. It can also happen to healthy people with normal, normal hearts. However, it is more common in those who regularly exercise. Most of the time, this isn't an issue to worry about but it's important to tell your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They do not require treatment. However when you do experience a sensation like their heart has skipped a beat or is racing, it's vital to see a doctor as soon as you can.
My Page will first interview you and conduct an examination of your body by listening to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed, which will record the electrical signals in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been detected then a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to record the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices can assist doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and their causes, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.
An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to assess whether your heart is in good health and to look for indications of structural issues which could cause PVCs. You could also be asked to undergo a stress test in order to assess how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also get blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see if they're too low. This could lead to PVCs.
After your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the treatment option you choose will depend on how they affect your life and how frequently they occur. If they happen only on occasion and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you have frequent PVCs that can trigger heart palpitations, or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can also help lower the number of times you experience these unusual pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which can feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest. Other times, they can cause a person to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as well as it should. Regular PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition where the heart enlarges and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical balance. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well as drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain and an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that altering their diet can 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). They can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get enough potassium and magnesium.
It is crucial to undergo regular health checks, including annual physicals and laboratory tests. They can aid in identifying any heart issues that could be the cause of your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an eat-healthy diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 typical hospital wards revealed that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures against the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of compliance to these practices was low. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training on the best ways to implement preventive measures is essential, 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 require more education and training for personnel. It will also mean making sure that the right materials are available for the implementation of preventive measures.
Symptoms
Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip or to flutter. These arrhythmias can be harmless or they may be a sign of serious heart issues.
In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't an issue and they generally disappear on their own. But if you have a lot of them, they may cause dizziness or weakness. If you're worried you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about them. They may need to determine the issue by taking an medical history and performing a physical exam. They may also conduct 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 as it moves through your heart over a short duration. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible on 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 can help differentiate PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a portable device that keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.
Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the cause of your PVCs. For example a cardiologist could check your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine if you suffer from a condition like heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
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 calcium levels. This could be a sign that you suffer from PVCs or a different condition such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease, this specialist might need to do other tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether you've damaged your heart, and how serious it is. In certain cases doctors may suggest pacemakers to treat the condition that is causing the PVCs.