Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not dangerous, and they can go away by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vitals signs. They might order an Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses of your heart over a span of between 24 and 48 hours. They might also order blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in one pattern or repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't show any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations that can be felt as a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other common symptoms are tiredness, dizziness or a sensation of being unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors could recommend a change in the way of life or diet like limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They can also prescribe medications, such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history and conduct an examination to assess their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer time periods and captures the heart's rhythms over time. In certain cases, doctors may order blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.
A pvc physician may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are everywhere and are generally not harmful unless they are used regularly or for a long period of time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older people or those with heart disease. It can also occur to healthy individuals with normal, normal hearts. However, it is more prevalent among those who regularly exercise. window doctor near me 's not an issue that is serious but it's important to tell your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or not making an entire beat, you need to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will begin by conducting an interview and then perform a a physical exam, monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical signals of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found, an all-day Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be required to detect the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.
An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to assess whether your heart is healthy and check for signs of structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You may also undergo an exercise test to determine how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to check your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This could cause PVCs.
After your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the treatment option you choose depends on how they impact your life and how often they occur. If they happen only infrequently and don't cause any symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to prescribe any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that trigger palpitations and other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your physician may suggest medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can help lower the number of instances of these irregular pulses.
Prevention
A person might not experience any symptoms at all from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can be felt as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest. Other times they can make a person feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as well as it should. Regular PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart gets larger and is not able to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. This can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain or a lack of exercise, can trigger these symptoms.
Some people have found that a change in diet helps to reduce their PVCs. They can, for example, avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate Sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they're getting sufficient magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are crucial as are annual physicals. They can aid in identifying any heart issues that could be the cause of your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an appropriate diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 regular hospital wards showed that healthcare personnel were generally aware of preventive measures against vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of conformity to these guidelines was low. The compliance improved following feedback interventions however it was still very low on a few of the observed wards. This suggests that training on the best ways to implement preventive measures is necessary and that wards that are not complying should be targeted for infection surveillance. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely involve additional education and training for staff. It is also necessary to ensure that the correct materials for implementing the preventive measures are readily available.
Symptoms
Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they may be the sign of heart issues.
In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They generally disappear on their own. But if you have many of them, they can cause weakness or dizziness. Talk to your doctor if you're worried. You may need to give an medical history, and they may also conduct a physical examination in order to determine the cause. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests.
A short ECG test lets your doctor see the signal of your heartbeat going through your body over a an extremely short time. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible on the test. Your doctor may also recommend a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer period of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You could also wear a portable device that records your heart's rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor.
Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. For example a cardiologist could check your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These can help find if you have a condition that is responsible for your PVCs like mitral valve prolapse, cardiomyopathy or heart failure.
Your doctor may also have to perform tests on your blood to identify the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could indicate that you have PVCs or a different problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.
You could be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who treats abnormal heart rhythms. This specialist may need to conduct other tests if you have structural heart diseases like a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can tell whether you've suffered damage to your heart and how severe it is. In some instances, the doctor may suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is the cause of your PVCs.