Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats usually aren't dangerous, and they can disappear by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vital indicators. They may also order a Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses generated by your heart over a time of 24 to 48 hours. They might also order blood tests to assess your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This delays the next heartbeat and causes an experience of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
While window doctors near me don't show any symptoms Some experience palpitations, that can be felt as a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other signs are dizziness, fatigue or a feeling of being unwell.
Many people who have occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician might recommend a change in diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They may also prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will ask about the person's medical history and perform a physical examination to determine their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms over a longer period of time, or an electrocardiogram, which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity of 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 patients to an electrophysiologist or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are quite common and rarely cause any problems unless they happen frequently over a long time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common in older people, or those who have some type of heart disease. It can also happen to healthy people with normal, normal hearts. However, it's more common in those who exercise regularly. Usually, this isn't an issue that is serious but it's important to tell your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many people, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or slurring an entire beat, you need to see a doctor right away.
A cardiologist will start by interviewing you and performing a a physical exam, monitoring your heart using the stethoscope to look for irregular beats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found then you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG is required to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other factors.
You may be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural issues which could lead to PVCs. You may also be required to undergo a stress test in order to assess how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to assess your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to find out whether they are low, which can contribute to the formation of PVCs.
After your doctor confirms that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious diseases out, the treatment you choose to take 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 recommend any medication to decrease the frequency or severity of them.
If you experience frequent PVCs that trigger palpitations and other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're about to faint, your doctor might suggest medication like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress, can also reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
A person may experience no symptoms at all from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may be felt as "skipped" beats or fluttering in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause 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. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart expands and becomes unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical balance. These include the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain and the absence of exercise can trigger these episodes.
Some people find that changing their diet can help reduce the number of PVCs. They can, for example avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate Sodium (E282-283). You can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they're getting enough potassium and magnesium.
Regular health checks are crucial as are annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions that could cause your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow an appropriate diet plan. This can increase your frequency of episodes.
A survey of healthcare workers on 14 wards of a normal hospital found that they were mostly aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat vascular catheter-related infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these guidelines was not great. After a feedback program, compliance improved on some wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not conforming should be targeted for infection monitoring. This information can be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will likely require additional education and training of personnel. It will also be necessary to ensure that the right tools for implementing the preventive measures are readily available.
Signs and symptoms
Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip or to flutter. These arrhythmias may be harmless, or they could indicate that you are suffering from serious heart issues.
In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't an issue and they usually disappear on their own. But if you have several of them, they could cause weakness or dizziness. If you're worried, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They may have to identify the issue by taking a medical history and conducting an examination. They may also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a quick test that allows your health care provider detect the signal of your heartbeat moving through your heart in an extremely short period of period of time. If you have PVCs, they will show in the test. Your doctor might also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer period of time. These can help differentiate PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a portable device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.
Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure, or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests will determine whether you are suffering from a condition such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also have to do an analysis of your blood to determine what is wrong with your electrolytes, such as low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs or a different health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating abnormal heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to conduct other tests if you suffer from heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will tell you whether you've damaged your heart, and how serious it is. In some instances, the doctor may recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's creating your PVCs.