Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs), are a kind of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and can go away by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat, and check other vitals indicators. They might order an Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a span of between 24 and 48 hours. They might also order blood tests to check your electrolyte levels 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 delays the next heartbeat and causes a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can occur in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are PVCs that occur in a series of. Ventricular tachycardia can be described as three or more consecutive ones.
While some people don't show any symptoms at all, others feel palpitations, which can feel like an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling that you're unwell.
Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change to the way of life or diet like limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They can prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and perform an examination of the body to assess their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms over longer periods of time or an electrocardiogram which records a snapshot of the electrical activity in the heart. In some cases, doctors may order blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
Sometimes, a pvc physician may refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are everywhere and are not usually harmful unless they are used regularly or for a long period of time. This can lead to a weakened in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older people or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious concern, but it is important to consult a doctor if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in a lot of people. They do not require treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or skipping a beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will interview you and perform a physical examination, listening to your heart with 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 has been identified it is recommended to use an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs, and their cause, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.
An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to determine if your heart is healthy and look for any indications of structural issues which could cause PVCs. You may also undergo an exercise test to determine how your heart reacts to exercise, since physical exercise can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see whether they're low. This can lead to PVCs.
After your doctor has determined that you have PVCs and has ruled out any serious illnesses, the decision of how to treat them will depend on the degree to which they're affecting your life and how frequently they occur. If they happen only infrequently and do not cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication that will decrease their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that trigger the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your physician may suggest medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, such as smoking, caffeine and excess stress, can help lower the number of occurrences of these irregular pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which may feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in your chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of pressure or fullness or they can make you feel faint. the window doctor result from the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, in addition to drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or excess weight and a lack of exercise, can trigger these symptoms.
Some people can find that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. They can, for instance avoid foods that contain preservatives which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate Sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium.
Regular health checks are essential, including yearly physicals. These tests can help diagnose any heart conditions that may be causing your PVCs. You should also avoid smoking and follow the healthy eating plan. This could increase the frequency of episodes.
A survey of 14 regular hospital wards found that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures against the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of compliance to these procedures was not high. After a feedback intervention, compliance improved on some wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that education on the best ways to implement preventive measures is required and that areas that are not as well-adjusted should be targeted for surveillance of infection. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require additional education and training for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the correct tools are available for implementing of the preventive measures.
Symptoms
If you feel like your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it may be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias could be harmless, but they could be a sign that you have heart issues that are serious.
In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they generally disappear on their own. If you have many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about them. You might need to provide an medical history, and they may also conduct an examination of the body to diagnose the problem. They may also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a simple test that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat as it moves through your heart over a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible on the test. Your doctor may also suggest to conduct a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You may also be wearing a device that can record your heart rhythm over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor.
Other tests for the heart 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 the presence of a medical condition that is causing your PVCs like cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor might also need to conduct a blood test to see what is wrong in your electrolytes, like low potassium or high calcium levels. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, including anemia and anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to an electrophysiologist, an expert who specializes in treating irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from structural heart disease, this specialist might need to conduct additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine if you have damage to your heart, and how serious it is. In certain cases an expert may recommend pacemakers to treat the condition which is causing the PVCs.