Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. window doctor are usually not dangerous, and they can go away on their own.
Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They might recommend a Holter monitor which is a device that records your heart's electrical impulses over the course of 24 hours. They may also request blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles misfire through a structure referred to as the SA node. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed which can cause a feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs may occur alone, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the term ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
Some people do not experience any symptoms, whereas others experience palpitations. It can be felt as the sound of a beating heart or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue, dizziness or a sensation of being sick.
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 the diet or lifestyle. For example the restriction of caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They might prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire 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 over a longer period of time or an electrocardiogram which captures a picture of the electrical activity in the heart. In certain cases doctors may require blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.
A pvc doctor might refer the patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are quite common and rarely cause any problems, unless they occur frequently over a long time. This can lead to a weakened in the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is most prevalent in older people, or those who have some form of heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people who have normal, normal hearts. However, it's more prevalent in people who regularly exercise. It is not a major problem, but it is important to tell your doctor if symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful and do not cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They do not require treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or not making a beat, it's best to see a doctor right away.
A cardiologist will first interview you and perform an examination of your body by listening to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed to record the electrical signals in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified it is recommended to have you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG is required to record the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the cause of them, like an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicities, or other causes.
An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to determine if your heart is healthy and to look for signs of structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You could also be asked to take stress tests to assess how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase your frequency of PVCs. You can also have blood tests to assess your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to find out whether they are insufficient, which can contribute to the development of PVCs.
Once your doctor has confirmed that you're suffering from PVCs and has ruled out any serious diseases, the decision of whether to treat them will be contingent on the extent to which they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that cause pulses or other symptoms, like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to avoid triggers, such as smoking, caffeine and excess stress, can also help lower the number of occurrences of these unusual pulses.
Prevention
A person might not experience any symptoms whatsoever from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can feel like "skipped" beats or fluttering in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest, and at other times, they can make someone feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart is not functioning as efficiently as it should. PVCs are linked to an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical balance. This includes the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Inactivity can also trigger these episodes, as can stress or excess weight.
Certain people find that altering their diet may help to reduce the number of PVCs. For example, they can 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 take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting enough magnesium and potassium.
It is essential to have regular health check-ups, which include annual physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any underlying heart conditions that could be causing your PVCs. You should also refrain from smoking and adhere to the healthy eating program. This can increase the frequency of 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 an intervention to improve feedback however it was still very lower on some of the wards surveyed. This suggests that education on how to implement preventive measures is essential, and that those areas that are not as well-adjusted should be targeted for infection surveillance. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require more education and training for personnel. It is also necessary to ensure that the right tools for implementing the preventive measures are available.
Symptoms
If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it could be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless, or they could indicate that you have heart issues that are serious.
In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem, and they usually disappear by themselves. If you've got many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakness. Talk to your doctor if concerned. You might need to provide an medical history, and they might also perform a physical examination in order to diagnose the problem. They'll likely also need to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A quick ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the signal of your heartbeat moving through your body for a a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll show up on the test. Your doctor might also suggest a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device which tracks your heart's rhythm over 30 days.
Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). This can help determine the presence of a medical condition that is the cause of your PVCs like mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also have to conduct an examination of your blood to determine what is wrong with your electrolytes such as low potassium or high calcium levels. This could indicate that you suffer from PVCs, or another health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. This specialist may need to perform other tests if you are suffering from heart problems that are structural like a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can tell whether you've damaged your heart, and how serious it is. In some cases, the doctor might suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is creating your PVCs.