Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a type of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are usually not dangerous and can go away by themselves.
Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and also check other vitals indicators. They may also order an Holter Monitor which captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a time of 24 to 48 hours. Repair My Windows And Doors can also order blood tests for checking your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.
Diagnosis
PVCs happen when electrical impulses coming from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles misfire through a structure called the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, leading to an experience similar to racing or skipped beats. PVCs may occur alone, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the condition known as ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Some people don't experience any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations that can be felt as the heart beating faster or slower. Other typical symptoms include fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being sick.
A lot of people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors might suggest a change in lifestyle or diet including a reduction in alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will ask about the person's medical history and perform a physical examination to check their general health. They can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer time periods and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. In certain instances, doctors may order blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
A pvc doctor may refer a patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs are everywhere and are generally not harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most common for people over the age of 65 or those suffering from some form of heart disease. It can also happen to healthy people with normal, normal heart. However, it's more common in those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue to worry about however it is crucial to consult a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many people, occasional PVCs might not cause symptoms or require no treatment. But, for those who feel your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it's crucial to see a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will begin by conducting an interview and then perform a physical examination, and monitoring your heart using an stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed to record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, a 24-hour Holter monitor or other portable ECG is required to record the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.
An echocardiogram, or 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 might also have an exercise test to determine how your heart responds to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also have blood tests to check your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to determine whether they are insufficient which could contribute to the development of PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the treatment you choose to take will depend on how they affect your life and the frequency they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs that can trigger pulses or other symptoms, like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can also help lower the number of instances of these irregular pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may feel like "skipped beats" or flutterings in the chest. These episodes can cause feelings of fullness or pressure, or they can make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and in a position to not pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. A lack of exercise can trigger these symptoms, as can stress or excessive weight.
Some people find that changing their diet can help reduce the amount of PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives that can disrupt the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and disodium Inosinate, and diazole Sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and veggies to ensure that you get enough magnesium.
Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions that could be the cause of your PVCs. Also, you should refrain from smoking and adhere to an appropriate diet plan. This can increase the frequency of episodes.
A survey of 14 typical hospital wards revealed that healthcare personnel were generally aware of preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of conformity to these practices was low. Compliance improved following an intervention to improve feedback however, it was still low on a few of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that education on how to implement the preventive measures is required and that the areas that are not as well-adjusted should be targeted for infection surveillance. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely involve further education and training for personnel. It will also mean making sure that the right materials are in place for the implementation of the preventive measures.
Signs and symptoms
If you feel like your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias could be normal, or they could be a sign that you have serious heart problems.
In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't a problem and they generally disappear by themselves. However, if you suffer from a lot of them, they could cause dizziness or weakness. If you're worried you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about them. You might need to provide a medical history, and they might also perform an examination to diagnose the problem. They might also need to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.
An ECG is a quick test that lets your health care provider observe the signal generated by your heartbeat as it travels through your heart for a short duration. The test will show if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also recommend a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device which tracks your heart's rhythm over 30 days.
Other heart tests might be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure, or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can reveal the presence of a medical issue that could be the cause of your PVCs, such as mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also have to conduct an examination of your blood to determine what the problem is in your electrolytes, like low potassium or high calcium levels. This could indicate that you suffer from PVCs, or another problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.
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 perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether your heart is damaged 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 creating your PVCs.