Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and can be cured by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vital indicators. They may order an Holter monitor which is a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers, or ventricles, misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed, causing the feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia can be described as three or more consecutive PVCs.
While some people don't have any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations that can be felt as the heart beating faster or slower. Other typical symptoms include fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being sick.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to diet or lifestyle. For example the restriction of caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They can prescribe medication such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will ask about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to check their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take an image of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer periods and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. In certain cases doctors may require blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
Sometimes, a pvc physician will refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs can be found everywhere and are not usually harmful when used frequently or for a long period of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more prevalent in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also happen to healthy individuals with a normal, normal heart. However, it's more prevalent among those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious problem, but it is important to consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in a lot of people. They don't require treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or slurring an entire beat, you need to consult a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will interview you and perform physical examinations, listening to your heart through a stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is discovered, a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to capture the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason behind them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicity, or other factors.
An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to assess whether your heart is in good health and to look for indications of structural issues that can lead to PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to check how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical activity can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also get blood tests to test your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see whether they're insufficient. This can lead to PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the decision to treat them is based on the impact they have on your life and the frequency they occur. If they happen only infrequently and don't cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication that will decrease their frequency or severity.
If you have frequent PVCs, which can cause heart palpitations, or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Making changes to your lifestyle in order to avoid triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can also reduce the frequency of times you experience these unusual pulses.
Prevention
There are people who do not experience symptoms at all from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can feel like "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can cause an feeling of fullness or pressure, or make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. PVCs are linked to an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs often are caused by changes in body chemical balance. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or excess weight or the absence of exercise can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that altering their diet can reduce the amount of PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause disturbances in the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). They can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting enough magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are crucial, including yearly physicals. These can help diagnose any heart-related conditions that could be the cause of your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to a healthy eating plan and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 regular hospital wards revealed that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of conformity to these practices was low. The compliance improved following an intervention to improve feedback, but was still lower on some of the observed wards. This suggests that training on how to implement the preventive measures is essential, and that those wards that are not complying should be targeted for infection surveillance. This information can be used to guide the implementation of additional quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This will likely require more training and education for staff. It is also necessary to ensure that the correct tools to implement the preventive measures are in place.
Signs and symptoms
If you feel like your heart is racing or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias could be harmless, but they could be a sign that you have heart issues that are serious.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. upvc doctor disappear on their own. But if you have a lot of them, they may cause weakness or dizziness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They may have to identify the problem by taking an history of your medical condition and giving you a physical exam. They may also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) 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 travels through your heart in a short time. The test will reveal whether you have PVCs. Your doctor may also recommend a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for a longer period of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.
Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the reason behind your PVCs. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can tell whether you have a condition such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also have to do an analysis of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes, for example, low potassium levels or high calcium levels. This could be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, including anemia and anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to an electrophysiologist one of the specialists who specialize in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. If you have structural heart disease the specialist may have to do other tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine if your heart is damaged and how severe it is. In some instances, the doctor might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is creating your PVCs.