Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are typically not dangerous and can disappear on their own. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and also check other vitals indicators. They may order a Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses of your heart over a span of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to determine your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause the sensation of the heart is fluttering or skips beats. PVCs may occur alone or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as ventricular Tachycardia (VT). While some people don't have any symptoms whatsoever, others feel palpitations, which can feel like a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling that you're unwell. Many people with occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change in diet or lifestyle, such as limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They can also prescribe medications, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will ask about the patient's medical history and conduct a physical exam to check their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor, which is worn for longer periods and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. In certain cases, doctors may order blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. Sometimes, a pvc doctor may refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm problems or an electrophysiologist for further evaluation. The doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or malignant. PVCs are fairly common and rarely cause any problems, unless they happen frequently over a long period of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common in older people or those with some form of heart disease. This can happen to healthy people who have normal, normal heart. However, it's more common in those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious problem, but it is important to tell your doctor if symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur. Treatment For many, occasional PVCs might not cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. But those who feel their heart has skipped the beat or is racing, it's crucial to speak to a doctor as soon as possible. A cardiologist will begin by interviewing you and doing an examination of your body, listening to your heart with the stethoscope to look for irregular beats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram, which captures the electrical impulses of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been detected then a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other causes. An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, can be ordered to assess whether your heart is in good health and look for any indications of structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You could also be asked to take a stress test in order to determine how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase your frequency of pvcs. You can also get blood tests to check your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium and other hormones to determine whether they're insufficient. This could cause PVCs. After your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled any serious diseases out, the treatment option you choose will depend on how they affect your life and how often they occur. If they happen only infrequently and don't cause any symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to recommend any treatment that can decrease their frequency or severity. However, if you have frequent PVCs that trigger heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as light-headedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor might suggest medication for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can reduce the frequency of these irregular pulses. Prevention A person may experience no symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can feel like "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation 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 is not pumping as efficiently as it normally does. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. They can be caused by the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, in addition to drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain, as well as a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes. Some people find that changing their diet can help reduce the number of PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause disturbances in the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium. It is crucial to undergo regular health checks, which include annual physicals and lab tests. They can aid in identifying any underlying heart conditions that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking and adhere to the healthy eating program. This can increase your frequency of episodes. A survey of healthcare workers on 14 wards of a normal hospital found that they were mostly aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat vascular catheter-related infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these guidelines was low. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/window-doctor-bedford/ improved following a feedback intervention, but was still lower on some of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that education is needed on how to implement preventive measures and those wards that are less conforming should be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can then be used to guide the implementation of additional quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This could involve more training and education for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the right materials are available for the implementation of the preventive measures. Signs and symptoms Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip or be fluttering. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they can be a sign of serious heart problems. In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They typically disappear on their own. If you have many of them, it could cause dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if you're worried. They may have to identify the problem by taking an history of your medical condition and conducting a physical exam. They might also conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests. An ECG is a test that's quick that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat as it moves through your heart in an extremely short period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll show up on the test. Your doctor may also decide to do an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over longer periods of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You could also be wearing a device that records your heart rhythm over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor. Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can determine whether you have an illness like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also have to run a blood test to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For example, low potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This could be a sign that you suffer from PVCs or a different health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders. You could be directed to an electrophysiologist, an expert who specializes in treating irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from structural heart disease, this specialist might need to do other tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart has been damaged and the severity of the damage. In some instances, the doctor might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's creating your PVCs.