Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not harmful and will be cured by themselves.
Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and also check other vital signs. They might recommend a Holter monitor which is a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over 24-48 hours. They may also request blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This delays the next heartbeat which can cause a feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
Some people have no symptoms, while others experience heart palpitations. It can be felt as an unsteady heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. Other common symptoms are tiredness, dizziness or a sensation of being sick.
Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a doctor might suggest a change in diet or lifestyle. For instance, limiting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They might prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history and conduct a physical examination to determine their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time, or an electrocardiogram, which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity in the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in some instances to check for electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity.
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 whether they are benign or malignant.
PVCs are all over the place and are generally not harmful unless they are used regularly or for a long time. This can lead to a weakened in the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most common for people over the age of 65, or those who have any form of heart disease. It can also happen to healthy individuals with normal, normal hearts. However, it is more common in those who exercise regularly. It's not an issue that is serious however it is crucial to consult your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause symptoms in a lot of 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 begins by interviewing you and performing a physical examination, and monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular beats. window doctor will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done, which will record the electrical signals in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected then a 24-hour Holter monitor or other portable ECG will be needed to capture the irregular rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and their causes, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other factors.
You might be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good order and to look for structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You may also undergo an exercise test to determine how your heart responds to physical activity can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also have blood tests to check your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to find out whether they are low and can cause the development of PVCs.
After your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose is based on the impact they have on your life and how often they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication that can reduce their frequency or severity.
If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that trigger heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as light-headedness or feeling like you're going 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 reduce the frequency of instances of these irregular pulses.
Prevention
A person might not experience any symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can appear as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger a fullness or pressure in the chest, and other times, they can cause a person to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. Frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart enlarges and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. These include the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. Lack of exercise can trigger these symptoms like stress or excessive weight.
Some people can find that a change in their diet helps to reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). They can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure that they get enough magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are essential, including yearly physicals. These tests can help you identify any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 regular hospital wards found that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of compliance to these guidelines was low. Compliance improved after a feedback intervention however it was still very low on some of the observed wards. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures and those wards that are not than compliant should be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can then be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives on these wards. It is likely that this will require further education and training for personnel. It will also be necessary to ensure that the right materials for implementing the preventive measures are available.
Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heartbeat to skip or to flutter. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they could be a sign of serious heart issues.
In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They typically disappear by themselves. If you're suffering from a lot of them, they could lead to dizziness or weakness. Consult your doctor if you are worried. They might need to diagnose the problem by taking an medical history and giving you a physical exam. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram or other tests.
A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the pulse of your heart moving through your body over an extremely short time. If you have PVCs, they will show in the test. Your doctor may also decide to perform a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat for longer durations of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You may also be wearing a device that can record 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 cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can reveal if you have a condition that may be causing your PVCs like cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor might also need to conduct a blood test to see what's wrong with your electrolytes, such as low potassium or high calcium levels. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia.
You could be referred to an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease the doctor may need to perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can tell whether you've suffered damage to your heart and how serious it is. In some cases an expert may recommend a pacemaker to treat the condition which is causing the PVCs.