Why It's Important to See a Doctor

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and can go away by themselves.

To determine PVC doctors listen to your heartbeat and check other vital indicators. They may order a Holter monitor which is a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over the course of 24 hours. They may also request blood tests to assess the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.

Diagnosis

PVCs occur when electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart, or ventricles, misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed which can cause an experience of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive ones.

Some people do not experience any symptoms, but others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like a pounding heartbeat or a slurred heartbeat. Other signs include dizziness, fatigue, or feeling unwell.

Many people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to diet or lifestyle. For instance the restriction of caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They may also prescribe medication such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.

Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and conduct a physical exam to check their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer durations and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. In some cases doctors may request blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.

Occasionally, a pvc doctor may refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm issues or an electrophysiologist for further evaluation. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.

PVCs are quite common and rarely cause any problems, unless they happen frequently over a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is most common in older people or those with some form of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue to worry about, but it is important to consult an expert if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.

Treatment

For many people, sporadic PVCs may not cause any symptoms or need no treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or not making the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.

A cardiologist will interview you and perform a physical examination, listening to your heart using an stethoscope to identify any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed that records the electrical impulses in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help window doctors near me determine if you have PVCs and the cause of them, like an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity, or other factors.

You might be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good order and to look for structural issues that could cause PVCs. You may also be required to undergo a stress test in order to find out the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase your 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 could contribute to the development of PVCs.

After your doctor has determined that you're suffering from PVCs and has ruled out any serious diseases, the decision of how to treat them will be based on the extent to which they impact your life and how often they occur. If they happen only infrequently and do not cause any symptoms, your windows doctor is unlikely to recommend any treatment that can decrease their frequency or severity.

However, if you have frequent PVCs that do cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as light-headedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your doctor might suggest medication, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can help lower the number of times you experience these irregular pulses.

The following is a list of preventatives.

PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which may feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. These episodes can create feelings of fullness or pressure, or they can make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. Frequent PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood.

PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical. These include the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. A lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes like stress or excess weight.

Certain people find that altering their diet may help to reduce the number of PVCs. They can, for instance avoid foods that contain preservatives which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and diazole, and disodium Inosinate sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium.

Regular health checks are essential as are annual physicals. They can aid in identifying any underlying heart conditions which could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.

A survey of healthcare workers on 14 wards of a normal hospital revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures for infections caused by vascular catheters however, their self-assessment of compliance with these practices was poor. Compliance improved following feedback interventions however it was still very low on some of the wards surveyed. This suggests that training on the best ways to implement preventive measures is essential and that wards which are less compliant should be targeted for infection surveillance. This information could be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This will most likely require additional education and training of personnel. It will also require making sure that the right materials are available for the implementing of the preventive measures.

Symptoms

The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or to flutter. These arrhythmias can be harmless, or they could indicate that you have heart issues that are serious.

In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not a problem. They usually disappear on their own. However, if you suffer from many of them, they could cause weakness or dizziness. If you're worried about them, consult your doctor about the symptoms. You might be required to provide an medical history, and they may also conduct an examination of the body to identify the issue. They may also want to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.

An ECG is a quick test that will allow your doctor to detect the signal of your heartbeat as it travels through your heart over a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll show up on the test. Your upvc doctor may also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer period of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You may also carry a device that records your heart rhythm over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor.

Other heart tests may be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can tell whether you have an issue like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.

Your doctor may also have to perform an analysis of your blood to determine the issue with electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium or high levels of calcium. This could indicate that you suffer from PVCs, or another condition such as anemia or anxiety disorders.

You may be referred a specialist in electrophysiology, who treats abnormal heart rhythms. The specialist might need to conduct other tests if you have heart problems that are structural like a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances, the doctor might suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's creating your PVCs.