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Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually risky, and they may disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vitals signs. They might recommend an Holter monitor which is a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They may also order blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs occur when electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart, or ventricles, misfire through a structure referred to as the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, leading to an experience similar to racing or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the term ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, whereas others experience heart palpitations. It could be a pounding heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. window doctor include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell.
A lot of people who have occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors may recommend a change in lifestyle or diet like limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They might prescribe medication such as 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 perform an examination of the body to determine their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to track 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 order blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.
A pvc doctor may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. The doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are all over the place and are generally not harmful when used frequently or for a long time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is most prevalent for people over the age of 65 or those suffering from some type of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It's not an issue to worry about but it's important to tell an expert if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They do not require treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or slurring an entire beat, you need to consult a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will interview you and then perform an examination of your body by listening to your heart through the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular beats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram that captures the electrical impulses of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified then the use of a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor is required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason behind them, like an electrolyte imbalance, a 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 order and to look for structural issues that could cause PVCs. You may also undergo 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 check your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium and other hormones to see whether they're insufficient. This could lead to PVCs.
Once your doctor has confirmed that you're suffering from PVCs and has eliminated any serious illnesses, the decision of whether to treat them will depend on the extent to which they impact your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to lessen their frequency or severity.
If, however, you suffer from 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 physician may suggest medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as smoking, caffeine and excess stress, can also help lower the number of occurrences of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
There are people who do not experience symptoms whatsoever from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can be felt as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause a fullness or pressure in the chest, and other times they can make someone feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and in a position to not pump blood.
PVCs often are caused by changes in body chemical chemistry. This can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones 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 could avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance in the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure that they get enough magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are essential and include annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart conditions that may cause 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 showed that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures for the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of compliance to these practices was low. Compliance improved following feedback interventions however, it was still low on some of the observed wards. This suggests that education is needed on how 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. It is likely that this will require additional education and training of personnel. It is also necessary to ensure that the right tools for implementing the preventive measures are in place.
Signs and symptoms
The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heartbeat to skip or be fluttering. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they can be a sign of serious heart issues.
In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't a problem and they usually go away on their own. If you have many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakness. Consult your doctor if you are worried. You may need to give your medical history and they might also perform an examination of the body to diagnose the problem. They may also do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a test that's quick that will allow your doctor to detect the signal of your heartbeat moving through your heart in an extremely short period of period of time. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also decide to perform a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat over longer periods of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You could also be wearing a device that can record your heart rate over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor.
window doctor for the heart may be needed, 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 or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also need to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine the issue with your electrolytes. For example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could indicate that you have PVCs, or another condition such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. This specialist may need to conduct other tests if you suffer from heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine if your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances, the doctor might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's causing your PVCs.