Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not harmful and will be cured by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat, and check other vitals signs. the window doctor may order a Holter monitor which records the electrical impulses your heart produces over 24-48 hours. They might also order blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, which is a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, leading to an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the term ventricular tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't have any symptoms at all Some experience palpitations, which can feel like an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other typical symptoms include fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being unwell.
A lot of people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors might suggest a change to the way of life or diet, such as limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They can also prescribe medications such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to check their general health. They can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer periods and captures the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may request blood tests in some cases to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant.
PVCs can be found everywhere and aren't 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 people suffering from heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people with normal, normal hearts. However, it's more prevalent in people who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue to worry about however it is crucial to tell an expert if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or slurring the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will then interview you and perform physical examinations, listening to your heart using an stethoscope to identify any irregular beats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical signals 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 capture the abnormal rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the underlying cause for them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicities, or any other cause.
You might be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural problems which could lead to PVCs. You may also undergo 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 assess your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to determine whether they are low which could contribute to the development of PVCs.
If your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the decision to treat them is based on the impact they have on your life and the frequency they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will prescribe any medication to lessen the frequency or severity of them.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, which can cause heart palpitations, or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your doctor might prescribe medications like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, like avoiding caffeine, smoking and stress, can reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which can feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in your chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest. Other occasions, they may make a person feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. Frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition where the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical balance. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or excess weight and a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes.
Some people have found that a change in their diet helps to reduce their PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get sufficient magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are essential as are annual physicals. They can aid in identifying any heart issues that could be the cause of your PVCs. You should also follow a healthy eating plan 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 to avoid the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of compliance to these guidelines was low. The compliance improved following a feedback intervention however, it was still lower on some of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that training on how to implement the preventive measures is essential, and that those wards that are not complying should be targeted for infection surveillance. This information could be used to guide the implementation of additional quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This could involve further training and education for staff. It will also require making sure that the right materials are in place for the implementation of the preventive measures.
Symptoms
If you feel like your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it could be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be normal, or they could indicate you are suffering from serious heart issues.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They typically disappear by themselves. If you've got many 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. You might be required to provide your medical history and they may also conduct an examination to identify the issue. They may also want to conduct 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 moving through your heart in the course of a brief period of time. The test will reveal whether you have PVCs. Your doctor may also recommend the use of a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer period of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You might also carry a device that can record your heart's rhythm over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor.
Other heart tests might be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. For instance, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These can help find whether you suffer from a condition that is the cause of your PVCs, such as mitral valve prolapse, cardiomyopathy or heart failure.
Your doctor may also need to run a blood test to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, such as anxiety disorders and anemia.
You could be referred to an electrophysiologist who can treat irregular heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease, this specialist might need to perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine if your heart is damaged and the severity of the damage. In some cases, the doctor may suggest a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is creating your PVCs.