Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not dangerous and can go away by themselves.
To determine PVC Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital indicators. They may also order an Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a span of between 24 and 48 hours. They may also request blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs happen when electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart, or ventricles, misfire through a structure referred to as the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, causing the sensation of fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. window doctor near me are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't have any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations that can be felt as the heart beating faster or slower. Other common symptoms are tiredness or dizziness, or a feeling of being sick.
Many people who have occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors might recommend a change in lifestyle or diet like limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may also prescribe medications like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform a physical examination 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 takes a snapshot at the electrical activity within the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in some instances to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body.
A pvc doctor may refer a patient to an electrophysiologist, or a 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 quite common and rarely cause any issues, unless they happen frequently over a long time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most common in older people or those suffering from some form of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with normal heart function, but 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 such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many, occasional PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or skipping an entire beat, you need to consult a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist begins by interviewing you and performing a a physical exam, monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular heartbeats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical impulses of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been detected, an portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and their causes 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, could be ordered to determine whether your heart is healthy and look for any signs of structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You might also be asked to undergo an exercise test to assess how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase your frequency of pvcs. You can also get blood tests to check your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This could lead to PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose depends on how they impact your life and the frequency they occur. If they happen only infrequently and do not cause symptoms the doctor is not likely to prescribe any medication that can decrease their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms like lightheadedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your physician may suggest medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes like cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress, can also decrease the frequency of these irregular pulses.
Prevention
A person may experience no symptoms whatsoever from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can appear as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest, and at other times they can make a person feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as well as it should. PVCs are linked to an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical chemistry. This can be caused by the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain and a lack of exercise, can trigger these symptoms.
Certain people find that a change in their diet can reduce their PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause disturbances in the heartbeat, for example disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get enough magnesium.
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 appropriate diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 typical hospital wards found that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of compliance to these practices was low. Compliance improved after an intervention to improve feedback however it was still very low on some of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that education is needed on how to implement preventive measures and that wards that are less compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can then be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will likely require more training and education for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the appropriate tools are available for implementation of preventive measures.
Symptoms
If you feel like your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be normal, or they could indicate that you have serious heart problems.
In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they generally disappear by themselves. However, if you suffer from many of them, they can lead to dizziness or weakness. Consult your doctor if you are concerned. You may need to give your medical history and they might also perform 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 allows your health care provider observe the signal generated by your heartbeat as it moves through your heart for an extremely short period of duration. The test will determine whether you have PVCs. Your doctor may also decide to conduct a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat for longer durations of time. These can help differentiate PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You might also be wearing a device that can record your heart's rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor.
Other heart tests may be required, based on the reason behind your PVCs. For instance, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine if you suffer from an issue such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also have to conduct a blood test to see what the problem is in your electrolytes, like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs, or another problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred an electrophysiologist who treats abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from structural heart disease, this specialist might need to perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances, the specialist might suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's causing your PVCs.