Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not harmful and will be cured by themselves.
To diagnose PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital indicators. They may order an Holter monitor which records the electrical impulses your heart produces over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause the sensation of racing or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the condition known as ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Some people have no symptoms, whereas others experience palpitations. It can be felt as the sound of a beating heart or a slurred heartbeat. Other signs include dizziness, fatigue, or feeling unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors may recommend a change in the way of life or diet, such as limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They might prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam to assess their general health. They can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer durations and captures the heart's rhythms over time. In some cases, doctors may order blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm issues or an electrophysiologist to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are everywhere and are not usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for long periods of time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is more prevalent in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue that is serious but it's important to tell a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They don't require treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or not making the beat, it's best to consult a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will start by interviewing you and performing a physical examination, and listening to your heart with a stethoscope for any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram, which captures the electrical impulses of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected then an all-day Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be required to capture the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason behind them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicities, or any other cause.
An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to assess whether your heart is in good health and to look for signs of structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You may also be required to undergo a stress test in order to assess the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of pvcs. You may also be able to have blood tests to check your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to find out whether they are low which could contribute to the formation of PVCs.
If your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the treatment you choose to take depends on how they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that can trigger heart palpitations, or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as 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.
The following is a list of preventatives.
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest, and other times, they can make someone feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart is not pumping as effectively as normal. PVCs are linked to an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart expands and becomes unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical. These include the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excess weight.
Some people can find that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. They can, for example avoid foods that contain preservatives which can disrupt the heart rhythm. repairmywindowsanddoors include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate Sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get enough potassium and magnesium.
It is essential to have regular health check-ups, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help you identify any heart-related conditions that could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare workers on 14 normal hospital wards revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures to avoid infections caused by vascular catheters However, their self-assessed compliance with these practices was low. Compliance improved following feedback interventions however, it was still low on some of the observed wards. This suggests that training is needed on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can be used to guide the implementation of further quality improvement initiatives on these wards. It is likely that this will require additional education and training of personnel. It will also be important to ensure that the right tools for implementing the preventive measures are readily available.
Symptoms
If you feel that your heart is racing or fluttering, it could be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be harmless, or they could indicate that you are suffering from serious heart issues.
In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They typically disappear by themselves. If you've got many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakness. Consult your doctor if you are concerned. They may have to identify the issue by taking an medical history and performing an examination. They'll also probably want to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the signal of your heartbeat moving through your body for a the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible on the test. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for a longer period of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.
Other heart tests may be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). This can help determine whether you suffer from a issue that could be causing your PVCs like mitral valve prolapse, cardiomyopathy or heart failure.
Your doctor may also have to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine the issue with electrolytes. For example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could indicate that you have PVCs or another condition such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease the specialist may have to conduct additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart is damaged and the severity of the damage. In some instances, the doctor may suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is causing your PVCs.