Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats usually aren't risky, and they may go away on their own.
To diagnose PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital indicators. They might recommend a Holter monitor which records your heart's electrical impulses over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests for checking your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause a feeling like fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't show any symptoms at all, others feel palpitations, that can be felt as a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other signs include dizziness, fatigue, or feeling unwell.
Many people with occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician might suggest a change in the diet or lifestyle. For example the restriction of caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They can also prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam to determine their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time or an electrocardiogram which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity of the heart. Doctors may request blood tests in some instances to look for imbalances in electrolytes or toxic effects of drugs.
A pvc physician may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs can be found everywhere and are not usually harmful when used frequently or for a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older people or those suffering from heart disease. This can happen to healthy people who have normal, normal hearts. However, it's more prevalent among 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 and do not cause symptoms in many people. They do not require treatment. But those who do experience a sensation like their heart has skipped a beat or is racing, it's important to consult a physician as soon as possible.
A cardiologist will interview you and then perform a physical examination, listening to your heart with an stethoscope to identify any irregular beats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical signals of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected then an all-day Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to detect the abnormal rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.
An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to determine whether your heart is healthy and to look for signs of structural problems which could cause PVCs. You may also be asked to undergo a stress test in order to determine how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also have blood tests to test your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine whether they're insufficient. This could lead to PVCs.
After your doctor has determined that you're suffering from PVCs and has eliminated any serious diseases and has made a decision about whether to treat them will be based on the extent to which they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they happen only on occasion and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to decrease their frequency or severity.
If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that cause the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your physician might recommend medications for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can also aid in reducing the frequency of occurrences of these abnormal pulses.
The following is a list of preventatives.
A person might not experience any symptoms whatsoever from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can feel like "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can create feelings of fullness or pressure, or they can make you feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart expands and becomes is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or excess weight and an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these symptoms.
Certain people find that changing their diet can help reduce PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance in the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) diazole sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get enough magnesium.
It is important to get regular health check-ups, which include annual physicals and lab tests. They can aid in identifying any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should refrain from smoking and adhere to a healthy diet program. This can increase the frequency of episodes.
A survey of 14 normal hospital wards found that healthcare personnel were generally aware of preventive measures for the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of conformity to these practices was low. Compliance improved following feedback interventions, but was still low on some of the wards that were surveyed. the window doctor suggests that training is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not than compliant should be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require additional training and education for staff. It will also be necessary to ensure that the right materials for implementing the preventive measures are available.
Signs and symptoms
The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heart to skip beats or flutter. These arrhythmias could be normal, or they could be a sign that you have heart issues that are serious.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They typically disappear by themselves. If you've got a lot of them, it could cause dizziness or weakening. Consult your doctor if you're worried. You may need to give an medical history, and they may also conduct a physical examination in order to diagnose the problem. They'll also probably want to do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) 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'll be visible in the test. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device that records your heart rhythm for 30 days.
Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). This can help determine whether you suffer from a condition that may be the cause of your PVCs, such as mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also have to do an examination of your blood to determine what's wrong with your electrolytes, like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, including anemia and anxiety disorders.
You might be directed to an electrophysiologist, an expert who specializes in treating abnormal heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to conduct additional tests if you suffer from structural heart diseases 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 some instances, the specialist might suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is creating your PVCs.