Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats usually aren't dangerous, and they can go away by themselves.
To diagnose PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They may order a Holter Monitor which captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of between 24 and 48 hours. They might also order blood tests to assess the levels of electrolytes 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, causing a feeling like the heart is fluttering or skips beats. PVCs can occur in isolation, or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive PVCs.
While some people don't show any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations that can be felt as an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other signs are dizziness, fatigue or a feeling of being unwell.
A lot of people who have occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a doctor might recommend a change in the diet or lifestyle. For instance, limiting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They might prescribe beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history, and then perform a physical examination to determine their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for longer periods of time or an electrocardiogram which captures a picture of the electrical activity of the heart. In some cases doctors may require blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.
A pvc physician may refer patients to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are fairly common and rarely cause any problems unless they happen frequently over a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more prevalent in older people or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue that is serious however it is crucial to consult a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many people, sporadic PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. However, for those who do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging an beat or is racing, it's vital to speak to a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will interview you and conduct physical examinations, listening to your heart through an stethoscope to identify any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed, which will record the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, an all-day Holter monitor or other portable ECG will be needed to record the abnormal rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the underlying cause for them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicities, or other causes.
You might be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is good and to look for structural issues that could cause PVCs. You might also be required to undergo a stress test in order to assess the response of your heart 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 determine whether they are low, which can contribute to the formation of PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose depends on how they impact your life and how often they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause symptoms the doctor is not likely to prescribe any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity.
If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that cause palpitations and other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your physician might recommend medications, such as beta blockers or 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.
The following is a list with preventions.
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. These episodes can trigger a feeling of fullness or pressure, or make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not pumping as effectively as normal. PVCs are associated with an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and unable to pump blood.
PVCs often are caused by changes in the body's chemical balance. This includes the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or excess weight, as well as a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes.
Some people find that changing their diet can reduce the amount of PVCs. For instance, they can, 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). Eat more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium.
It is crucial to undergo regular health checks, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking and adhere to a healthy diet plan. This could increase the frequency of episodes.
A survey of 14 typical hospital wards found that healthcare personnel were generally aware of preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessed conformity to these guidelines was low. After a feedback program the compliance level improved on a few wards but was still low. This suggests that training is required to implement preventive measures and those wards that are not compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require further training and education for personnel. It will also be important to ensure that the correct materials for implementing the preventive measures are readily available.
Signs and symptoms
If you feel your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it may be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias could be normal, or they could be a sign that you have serious heart problems.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They typically disappear on their own. If you have many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakness. Talk to your doctor if you are worried. You might be required to provide an medical history, and they may also conduct an examination of the body to identify the issue. They might also perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.
An ECG is a quick test that lets your health care provider see the signal from your heartbeat as it moves through your heart in an extremely short period of duration. If you have PVCs, they will show on the test. Your doctor may also suggest to conduct a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You might also carry a device that can record your heart rate over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor.
double glazing doctors for your heart might be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These can help find if you have a condition that is responsible for your PVCs like 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, for example, low potassium levels or high calcium levels. This could be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, such as anemia and anxiety disorders.
You could be directed to an electrophysiologist, one of the specialists who specialize in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. This specialist may need to conduct additional tests if you have structural heart diseases, such as the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine if your heart is damaged and the severity of the damage. In some instances doctors may suggest pacemakers to treat the issue that causes the PVCs.