Why It's Important to See a Doctor

Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and can go away by themselves.

Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and also check other vital indicators. They might recommend a Holter monitor, glazed a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over 24-48 hours. They can also request blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.

Diagnosis

PVCs are caused by electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure referred to as the SA node. This delays the next heartbeat and causes an experience of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs may occur alone, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the condition known as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).

While some people don't show any symptoms, others feel palpitations, which could feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other typical symptoms include fatigue or dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell.

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

Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and perform an examination of the body to determine their general health. They may also use 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 some cases doctors may require blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.

A pvc physician may refer a patient to an electrophysiologist or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. The doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.

PVCs are fairly common and rarely cause any problems except when they are frequent over a long period of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most prevalent in people who are older or those suffering from some form of heart disease. It can also occur to healthy individuals with a normal, normal heart. However, it's more prevalent in people who regularly exercise. It's not a serious issue, but you should inform your doctor if symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur.

Treatment

PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in a lot 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 begins by conducting an interview and then perform a an examination of your body, listening to your heart with an stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been detected, a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the cause of them, such as an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicities, or other causes.

You might be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine the health of your heart is good and to look for structural issues which could lead to PVCs. You may also be asked to take an exercise test to find out the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase your frequency of PVCs. You can also get blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and window Air leakage repair magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see if they're too low. This could cause PVCs.

If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the treatment you choose to take is based on the impact they have on your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause any symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to prescribe any medication that can reduce their frequency or severity.

If you experience frequent PVCs, which can cause heart palpitations, or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your physician may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, like abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also decrease 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 your chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause a fullness or pressure in the chest, and other times, they can make a person feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. Regular PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart enlarges and becomes ineffective at pump blood.

PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical balance. This can be caused by the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or weight gain, as well as the absence of exercise can trigger these episodes.

Some people find that changing their diet can reduce the number of PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and veggies to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium.

Regular health checks are essential as are annual physicals. These tests can help you identify any heart conditions that may be causing your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow an appropriate diet program. This can increase the frequency of episodes.

A survey of 14 typical hospital wards showed that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures against vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of compliance to these procedures was not high. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain areas, but was still very low. This suggests that education on how to implement preventive measures is required and that 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 will most likely require more education and training for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the right tools are available for implementation of the preventive measures.

Symptoms

If you feel like your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it may be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be normal, or they could be a sign that you are suffering from serious heart issues.

In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't an issue and they usually disappear on their own. But if you have many of them, they may lead to dizziness or weakness. Consult your doctor if you're concerned. You may need to give a medical history, and they might also perform an examination of the body to determine the cause. They may also conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.

A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the heartbeat signal moving through your body over a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they will show on the test. Your doctor may also suggest a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device that tracks your heart's rhythm over 30 days.

Other tests for the heart may be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). This can help determine whether you suffer from a issue that could be responsible for your PVCs or heart valves, such as mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.

Your doctor may also be required to do an analysis of your blood to determine what's wrong with your electrolytes like low potassium or high calcium levels. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, like anemia and anxiety disorders.

You may be referred to an electrophysiologist who can treat irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural the specialist may have to perform additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine if your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In certain cases, a doctor may suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's causing your PVCs.