Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually dangerous, and they can disappear by themselves.
To diagnose PVC Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and check other vital signs. They might order a Holter Monitor that records the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs happen when electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers ventricles misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This delays the next heartbeat, causing a feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in isolation, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
Some people don't experience any symptoms whatsoever, others feel palpitations, that can be felt as a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other common symptoms are tiredness and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change in the way of life or diet including a reduction in alcohol, caffeine and stress. They can also prescribe medications, such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about the medical history of the patient and perform a physical examination to check their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer durations and records the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may require blood tests in certain cases to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs.
Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. The doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant.
PVCs are everywhere and are not usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for long periods of time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more prevalent in older people or those with heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue to worry about however it is crucial to tell an expert if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or slurring the beat, it's best to consult a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will then interview you and perform physical examinations and listen to your heart using the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular beats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified it is recommended to use a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to record the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and their causes, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other factors.
An echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to determine if your heart is healthy and look for any signs of structural problems which could cause PVCs. You might also be asked to take stress tests to determine the response of your heart to exercise. Physical activity can increase your frequency of PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to determine your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to determine whether they are low, which can contribute to the development of PVCs.
If your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment you choose to take is based on the impact they have on your life and how frequently they occur. If they happen only on occasion and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to decrease their frequency or severity.
If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your physician might suggest medication for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in your lifestyle, such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can also reduce the frequency of these irregular pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which may feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. These episodes can create an feeling of pressure or fullness or they can make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not pumping as effectively as normal. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. This is a condition where the heart expands and becomes in a position to not pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This includes the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or excess weight and a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes.
Some people can find that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. They can, for example avoid foods that contain preservatives that could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and veggies to ensure that you get enough magnesium.
It is crucial to undergo regular health check-ups, which include annual physicals and laboratory tests. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
window doctors of 14 typical hospital wards found that healthcare personnel were generally aware of preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of conformity to these procedures was not high. After a feedback intervention, compliance improved on some wards but was still low. This suggests that education on the best ways to implement preventive measures is necessary and that areas that are not as well-adjusted should be targeted for surveillance of infection. This information can be used to guide the implementation of additional quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This will likely require more education and training for personnel. It will also be important to ensure that the appropriate materials for implementing the preventive measures are available.
Signs and symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heart to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias can be harmless or they may be an indication of serious heart issues.
In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They usually disappear on their own. However, if you suffer from many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned about them, consult your doctor about the symptoms. You may need to give your medical history and they might also perform a physical examination in order to identify the issue. They might also conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests.
A quick ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the heartbeat signal going through your body over a an extremely short time. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible in the test. Your doctor might also want to conduct an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat over longer periods of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You might also be wearing a device that can record your heart rhythm over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor.
Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For example, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These can help find the presence of a medical condition that is responsible for your PVCs, such as cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also be required to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine what the problem is in your electrolytes, such as low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, such as anxiety disorders and anemia.
You may be directed to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. The specialist might need to perform other tests if you are suffering from heart problems that are structural like an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will tell you whether you've damaged your heart and how serious it is. In certain cases, a specialist might suggest a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is the cause of your PVCs.