Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs), are a form of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are usually not harmful and will go away by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat, and check other vital signs. They might order a Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses generated by your heart over a time of between 24 and 48 hours. They may also order blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs happen when electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure called the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause a feeling like racing or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive ones.
Some people do not experience any symptoms, but others experience palpitations. It could be a pounding heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling that you're unwell.
Many people with occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a patient has frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to the diet or lifestyle. For example, limiting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They might prescribe beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will ask about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to determine their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time or an electrocardiogram which records a snapshot of the electrical activity in the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in some instances to look for imbalances in electrolytes or drug toxicity.
Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm issues or an electrophysiologist for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.
PVCs can be found everywhere and are not usually harmful unless they are used regularly or for long periods of time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older people or people suffering from heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. It's not an issue that is serious, but it is important to tell your doctor if you experience symptoms like fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause symptoms in many people. windowdoctor do not require treatment. But, for those who do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it's vital to consult a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will then interview you and perform physical examinations and listen to your heart using a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed, which will record the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified then you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG is required to record the abnormal rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices can assist doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of 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 indications of structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You could also be asked to undergo a stress test in order to assess how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also have blood tests to assess your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to determine if they are too low, which can contribute to the formation of PVCs.
After your doctor has determined that you have PVCs and has eliminated any serious illness, the decision of whether or not to treat them will be contingent on the extent to which they impact your life and how often they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to lessen the frequency or severity of them.
If you experience frequent PVCs that cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as feeling lightheaded or like you're about to faint, your physician might suggest medication for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Making changes to your lifestyle in order to avoid triggers, such as caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can also reduce the frequency of occurrences of these irregular pulses.
The following is a list of preventatives.
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which can be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. These episodes can trigger a feeling of pressure or fullness, or make you feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart isn't pumping as efficiently as it normally does. PVCs are linked to an increased risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. This is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemical balance. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or excess weight, as well as an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that a change in their diet can reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can, avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance of 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 they are getting sufficient magnesium and potassium.
It is important to get regular health checks, including annual physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 normal hospital wards showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures to avoid infections caused by vascular catheters however, their self-assessment of compliance with these guidelines was low. After a feedback intervention the compliance level improved on a few wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that education on how to implement the preventive measures is essential and that areas that are not as well-adjusted 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 education and training for staff. It will also involve making sure that the appropriate tools are available for implementing of the preventive measures.
Symptoms
The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heart to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias can be harmless, or they could indicate that you are suffering from serious heart issues.
In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they usually disappear on their own. But if you have many of them, they could cause weakness or dizziness. Consult your doctor if you're concerned. They may have to identify the problem by taking an medical history and giving you a physical exam. They may also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a quick test that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat as it moves through your heart in a short duration. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor might also want to do a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over longer periods of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You could also be wearing a device that can record your heart's rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor.
Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure, or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can tell if you suffer from an issue like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also be required to conduct a blood test to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This could be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia.
You could be referred to an electrophysiologist an expert who specializes in treating abnormal heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease, this specialist might need to do other tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe it is. In some instances, the doctor might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is the cause of your PVCs.