Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats usually aren't risky, and they may go away by themselves.
To diagnose PVC doctors listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital signs. They might order an Holter monitor which records the electrical impulses your heart produces over 24-48 hours. They may also order blood tests to determine your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.
Diagnosis
PVCs happen when electrical impulses coming from the lower chambers of the heart, or ventricles, misfire through a structure called the SA node. This delays the next heartbeat which can cause an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive PVCs.
While some people don't have any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations which could feel like an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other common symptoms are tiredness, dizziness or a sensation of being sick.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change to diet or lifestyle like limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They may prescribe medication such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform an examination of the body to check on their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get an image 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 certain cases to look for imbalances in electrolytes or drug toxicity.
A pvc doctor might refer patients to an electrophysiologist or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs are all over the place and are generally not harmful unless they are used regularly or for a long time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older people or people suffering from heart disease. It can also happen to healthy individuals with a normal, normal heart. However, it is more common in those who regularly exercise. It is not a major problem, but it is important to consult your physician if you notice symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They don't require treatment. But those who do feel your heart is lagging a beat or is racing, it's crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible.
A cardiologist will then interview you and then perform an examination of your body and listen to your heart through a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed to record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected then a 24-hour Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be needed to capture the irregular rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the underlying cause for them, like an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicities, or any other cause.
An echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of your heart, can be ordered to assess whether your heart is healthy and look for any indications of structural issues which could cause PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to see how your heart responds to physical exercise can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also take blood tests to test your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to determine whether they're low. This could lead to PVCs.
After your doctor has confirmed that you're suffering from PVCs and has ruled out any serious diseases, the decision of whether or not 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 do not cause symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that do cause palpitations and other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're about to faint, your doctor might suggest medication, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can also reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
The following is a list with preventions.
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. These episodes can create an feeling of pressure or fullness, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as well as it should. Frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart enlarges and is not able to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical. This includes the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Lack of exercise can trigger these symptoms, as can stress or excessive weight.
Certain people find that altering their diet can reduce PVCs. They can, for instance, avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which can disrupt the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and diazole, and disodium Inosinate sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure that they get enough potassium and magnesium.
Regular health checks are essential, including yearly physicals. They can aid in identifying any underlying heart conditions that could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow the healthy eating program. This could increase the frequency of episodes.
A survey of healthcare staff on 14 normal hospital wards revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infections, but that their self-assessed compliance with these practices was poor. After a feedback program the compliance level improved on a few wards but was still low. This suggests that training is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less compliant need to be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require more education and training for personnel. It will also require making sure that the appropriate materials are in place for the implementing of the preventive measures.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heart to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias can be normal, or they could be a sign that you have serious heart problems.
In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem, and they usually go away on their own. However, if you suffer from a lot of them, they may cause weakness or dizziness. Consult your doctor if you're worried. You might need to provide your medical history and they may also conduct an examination to diagnose the problem. They may also conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a test that's quick that lets your health care provider see the signal from your heartbeat as it travels through your heart in an extremely short period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible in the test. Your doctor may also suggest a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device which tracks your
