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Why It's Important to See a Doctor

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not dangerous and may disappear on their own.

To diagnose PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital signs. They might order a Holter monitor which is a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over the course of 24 hours. They might also order blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.

Diagnosis

PVCs occur when electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers ventricles misfire through a structure called the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause the sensation of the heart is fluttering or skips 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 constitute the condition known as ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Some people don't experience any symptoms Others experience heart palpitations which could feel like a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other signs are dizziness, fatigue or feeling unwell.

Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a doctor may recommend a change to the diet or lifestyle. For instance restricting caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They may also prescribe medication such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.

Doctors will inquire about the medical history of the patient and do a physical exam to check their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture an image of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may require blood tests in some cases to check for electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity.

Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.

PVCs are common and don't usually cause any issues, except when they are frequent over a long time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition called pvc doctor near me-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most common in older people or those with some form of heart disease. This can happen to healthy people who have normal, normal hearts. However, it is more prevalent among those who exercise regularly. This is not a serious problem, but it is important to consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur.

Treatment

For many people, sporadic PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. But those who feel your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it's crucial to speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

A cardiologist begins by conducting an interview and then perform a physical examination, and monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical signals of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified then an all-day Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to capture the abnormal rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you have PVCs, and their cause which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.

You may be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is good and to look for structural problems 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 be able to have blood tests to check your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to find out whether they are low which could contribute to the formation of PVCs.

If your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious illness out, the decision to treat them depends on how they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause symptoms the doctor is not likely to recommend any treatment that can reduce their frequency or severity.

If you experience frequent PVCs that do cause palpitations and other symptoms, such as light-headedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your physician might suggest medication 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 times you experience these unusual pulses.

Prevention

A person may experience no symptoms whatsoever from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can feel like "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest, and other times they can cause a person to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as well as it should. Frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition in which the heart expands and is not able to pump blood.

PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain or a lack of exercise, can trigger these symptoms.

Certain people find that altering their diet can help reduce PVCs. They can, for example avoid foods that contain preservatives which can disrupt the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate sodium (E282-283). You can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get enough magnesium and potassium.

Regular health checks are crucial as are annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. You should also follow a healthy eating plan and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.

A survey of 14 typical hospital wards revealed that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of compliance to these guidelines was low. After a feedback intervention, compliance improved on some areas, but was still very low. This suggests that education on how to implement the preventive measures is necessary and that the wards that are not complying should be targeted for surveillance of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. It is likely that this will require more education and training for personnel. It will also be important to ensure that the correct tools to implement the preventive measures are in place.

Signs and symptoms

Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or flutter. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they could be an indication of serious heart issues.

In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't an issue and they generally disappear on their own. If you're suffering from a lot of them, they may lead to dizziness or weakness. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned. You might be required to provide an medical history, and they might also perform an examination of the body to diagnose the problem. They'll also probably want to do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.

A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the heartbeat signal going through your body over a the course of a brief period. The test will determine whether you have PVCs. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat for a longer period of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device that keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.

Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests will determine if you suffer from a condition such as heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.

Your doctor may also be required to run an analysis of your blood to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This could be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, including anemia and anxiety disorders.

You may be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to perform other tests if you have heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether you've damaged your heart, and how serious it is. In some instances, the doctor may suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's the cause of your PVCs.