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Why It’s Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats usually aren’t risky, and they may go away on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vitals indicators. They may order an Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also request blood tests for checking your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, which is a structure found 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 can be seen in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Some people do not experience any symptoms, while others experience palpitations. It could be the sound of a beating heart or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you’re unwell.
Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs don’t require any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors could suggest a change in lifestyle or diet including a reduction in alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may also prescribe medication like calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform a physical examination to assess their general health. They may also use 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 within the heart. In windows doctor may require blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. The doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.
PVCs can be found everywhere and are generally not harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It’s not a serious condition, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in a lot of people. They do not require treatment. However, for those who do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it’s important to consult a physician as soon as you can.
A cardiologist will then interview you and conduct physical examinations and listen to your heart using the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical signals of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is discovered it is recommended to use the use of a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to capture the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the cause of them, like an electrolyte imbalance, 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 good and to look for structural issues which could lead to PVCs. You could also have an exercise test to determine how your heart reacts to exercise, since physical activity can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to assess your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to determine whether they are insufficient, which can contribute to the formation of PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment you choose to take depends on how they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don’t cause any symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to recommend any treatment to decrease their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that can trigger pulses or other symptoms, such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor 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 reduce the frequency of occurrences of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
A person may experience no symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may appear as “skipped” beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can cause an feeling of fullness or pressure, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as well as it should. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. This includes the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or excess weight, as well as the absence of exercise can trigger these symptoms.
Some people find that changing their diet can reduce the number of PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and diazole, and disodium Inosinate Sodium (E282-283). They can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure they’re getting enough magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are essential and include annual physicals. These can help diagnose any underlying heart conditions that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an appropriate 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 the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of compliance to these guidelines was low. Compliance improved following an intervention to improve feedback however, it was still low on a few of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that education is needed on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. This information can then be used to guide the implementation of additional quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This will most likely require more education and training for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the appropriate materials are in place for the implementation of the preventive measures.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or to flutter. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they may be a sign of serious heart issues.
In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren’t a problem, and they usually disappear on their own. If you’ve got many of them, it could cause dizziness or weakening. Talk to your doctor if concerned. They may need to determine the problem by taking a medical history and performing an examination. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests.
A short ECG test lets your doctor see the signal of your heartbeat going through your body over a the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they will show on the test. Your doctor may also suggest to do an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You could also carry a device that can record your heart rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor.
Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For instance an cardiologist may test your blood pressure, and also perform 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 cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also be required to run a blood test to see what’s wrong with your electrolytes like low potassium or high calcium levels. This could indicate that you suffer from PVCs, or another problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease the specialist may have to conduct additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether your heart has been damaged and the severity of the damage. In certain cases, a doctor may recommend the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is the cause of your PVCs.