Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats usually aren't hazardous, and they could disappear on their own.
To determine PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital indicators. They might recommend an Holter monitor, a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over 24-48 hours. They might also order blood tests to assess your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs happen when electrical impulses coming from the lower chambers of the heart, or ventricles, misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, causing an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs may occur alone or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the condition known as ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Some people have no symptoms, but others experience palpitations. It can be felt as a pounding heartbeat or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling that you're unwell.
Many people with occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a physician might recommend a change in the diet or lifestyle. For instance restricting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They can also prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history and perform an examination of the body to assess their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for longer durations or an electrocardiogram which records a snapshot of the electrical activity within the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in some cases to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body.
A pvc physician may 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.
Repair My Windows And Doors are fairly common and rarely cause any problems, unless they happen frequently over a long period of time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. It is more common in people who are older or those suffering from some form of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with normal heart function, but it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. This is not a serious issue, but you should inform your doctor if symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or skipping an entire beat, you need to consult a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will then interview you and then perform a physical examination by listening to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed that records the electrical signals in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified it is recommended to have a 24-hour Holter monitor or other portable ECG is required to detect the irregular rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.
You may be required 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 lead to PVCs. You may also be asked to undergo a stress test in order to determine how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase your frequency of PVCs. You can also take blood tests to check your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium and other hormones to see whether they're insufficient. This can lead to 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 the frequency they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms the doctor is not likely to prescribe any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity.
However, if you have frequent PVCs that do cause palpitations and other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor might suggest medication, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Making changes to your lifestyle in order to avoid triggers, such as caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can reduce the frequency of times you experience these irregular pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which can be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger a fullness or pressure 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. The frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart enlarges and is not able to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemistry. This includes the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, in addition to drinking alcohol or caffeine. A lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes, as can stress or excessive weight.
Some people can find that a change in diet helps reduce their PVCs. They can, for instance avoid foods that contain preservatives which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate Sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium.
Regular health checks are essential and include annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart issues which could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 normal hospital wards found that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessed conformity to these practices was low. Compliance improved after an intervention to improve feedback however, it was still low on a few of the observed wards. This suggests that education is required to implement preventive measures and that wards that are less than compliant should be targeted for monitoring of infection. 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 be important to ensure that the correct materials for implementing the preventive measures are readily available.
Symptoms
Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip or flutter. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they can be the sign of heart issues.
In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They usually disappear by themselves. If you've got a lot of them, it could cause dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. You might be required to provide a medical history, and they may also conduct a physical examination in order to diagnose the problem. They'll likely also need to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A quick ECG test allows your doctor to see the heartbeat signal moving through your body for a a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible on the test. Your doctor may also decide to conduct an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over longer periods of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You might also carry a device that records your heart rate over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor.
Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the reason behind your PVCs. For example, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can tell if you suffer from an illness like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also be required to do an analysis of your blood to determine what's wrong with your electrolytes such as low potassium or high calcium levels. This could be a sign that you have PVCs, or another problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.
You may be directed to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. This specialist may need to perform other tests if you suffer from heart conditions that cause structural damage like the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart has been damaged and the severity of the damage. In certain cases, a specialist may recommend a pacemaker to treat the issue that causes the PVCs.