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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 are usually not harmful and will go away by themselves.
To diagnose PVC Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and check other vital signs. They may order an Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of between 24 and 48 hours. They may also order blood tests to determine your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which 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, leading to an experience similar to racing or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen as a single event or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, while others experience heart palpitations. It can be felt as the sound of a beating heart or a skipping heartbeat. Other signs include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling of being unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change in the way of life or diet including a reduction in alcohol, caffeine and stress. They can also prescribe medications like calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will ask about the patient's medical history and do a physical exam to assess their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer durations and captures the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may order blood tests in some cases to look for imbalances in electrolytes or drug toxicity.
A pvc doctor may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are all over the place and are not usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more prevalent in older people or people suffering from heart disease. It can also occur to healthy individuals with a normal, normal heart. However, it's more prevalent among those who regularly exercise. This is not a serious issue, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
For many people, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or are harmless and need no treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or not making a beat, it's best to consult a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will begin by interviewing you and performing a physical examination, and monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular beats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is discovered then an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to capture the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs, and their cause, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs 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 could also have an exercise test to determine how your heart reacts to exercise, since physical exercise can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You may also undergo blood tests to determine your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to determine if they are too low which could contribute to the development of PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the treatment you choose to take depends on how they impact your life and how often they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to recommend any treatment that can reduce their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that cause palpitations and other symptoms, such as light-headedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your physician might recommend medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like smoking, caffeine and excess stress, can also reduce the frequency of occurrences of these unusual pulses.
double glazing doctor 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 they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as well as it should. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. 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 balance. This is due to the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or excess weight, as well as an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that a change in diet helps to reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate Sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get enough magnesium.
It is crucial to undergo regular health checks, including annual physicals and lab tests. These tests can help diagnose any heart-related conditions that could be causing your PVCs. You should also follow a healthy eating plan and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare workers on 14 normal hospital wards revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infections, but that their self-assessed compliance with these guidelines was not great. Compliance improved following a feedback intervention however it was still very low on some of the wards surveyed. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less conforming should be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely involve more training and education for staff. It will also mean making sure that the appropriate materials are in place for the implementation of preventive measures.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heartbeat to skip or flutter. These arrhythmias could be normal, or they could be a sign that you have heart issues that are serious.
In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't a problem, and they usually go away on their own. If you've got many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakening. Talk to your doctor if concerned. They might need to diagnose the problem by taking an medical history and conducting a physical exam. They might also need to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.
A short ECG test lets your doctor see the heartbeat signal going through your body over a the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they will show in the test. Your doctor may also recommend the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for a longer period of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You may also be wearing a device that can record your heart rate over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor.
Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the cause of your PVCs. For example an cardiologist may test your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). This can help determine if you have a condition that is causing your PVCs like mitral valve prolapse, cardiomyopathy or heart failure.
Your doctor may also be required to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine the problem with electrolytes. For instance, you may have low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs or another health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You might be referred to an electrophysiologist a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. If you have heart disease that is structural the doctor may need to do other tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine if your heart is damaged and the severity of the damage. In some instances doctors may suggest pacemakers to treat the issue that is causing the PVCs.