Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a form of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats usually aren't risky, and they may disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat, and check other vital signs. They might order a Holter monitor, a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over 24-48 hours. They may also request blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, causing the sensation of racing or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't have any symptoms whatsoever, others feel palpitations, which can feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other symptoms are dizziness, fatigue or a feeling that you're unwell.
Many people with occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a physician might suggest a change in the diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They may prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history and conduct a physical examination to check on their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer time periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may request blood tests in some cases to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs.
A pvc doctor might refer the patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.
PVCs can be found everywhere and are generally not harmful unless they are used frequently or for long periods of time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more prevalent in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also happen to healthy people who have normal, normal hearts. However, it's more prevalent among those who regularly exercise. It's not a serious concern, but it is important to speak with a doctor if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many people, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or require no treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or slurring the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will begin by conducting an interview and then perform a physical examination, and listening to your heart with an stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical impulses of your heart, allowing you to identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected it is recommended to use an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will assist doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason behind them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicities, or other causes.
You might be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You could also be required to undergo an exercise test to determine how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase your frequency of pvcs. You may also be able to have blood tests to check your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to determine if they are too low which could contribute to the development of PVCs.
After your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has ruled out any serious illnesses, the decision on whether to treat them will be contingent on the extent to which they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will suggest any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that can trigger palpitations or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your physician might prescribe medications like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress, can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
There are people who do not experience symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may feel like "skipped" beats or fluttering in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest. Other times they can cause a person to feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. PVCs are associated with a higher chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. This includes 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.
Some people have found that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance in the heartbeat, for example disodium guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium.
Regular health checks are important as are annual physicals. These can help diagnose any heart issues which could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an appropriate diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare workers on 14 normal hospital wards showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infections, but that their self-assessed compliance with these measures was low. After a feedback program the compliance level improved on a few wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training on how to implement preventive measures is essential, and that those wards that are not complying should be targeted for infection surveillance. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This could involve further education and training for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the correct tools are available for implementing of the preventive measures.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or flutter. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they could be the sign of heart issues.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not a problem. They generally disappear by themselves. However, if you suffer from several of them, they can cause dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned. They may need to determine the problem by taking an history of your medical condition and conducting an examination. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests.
An ECG is a test that's quick that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat as it moves through your heart over a short time. If you have PVCs, they'll show up on the test. window doctor near me may also recommend the use of a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer period of time. These can help differentiate PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a portable device which records your heart rhythm for 30 days.
Other heart tests might be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests will determine if you suffer from an illness such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also be required to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes, like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could indicate that you suffer from PVCs or another health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who treats abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural, this specialist might need to perform additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart is damaged and how severe it is. In certain cases, a specialist may recommend pacemakers to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs.