Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually dangerous, and they can disappear by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They might order a Holter monitor which tracks your heart's electrical impulses over the course of 24 hours. They can also request blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This delays the next heartbeat and causes the feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive PVCs.
Some people do not experience any symptoms, whereas others experience heart palpitations. It could be an unsteady heartbeat or a skipping heartbeat. Other signs include fatigue, dizziness, or feeling unwell.
Many people who have occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a doctor may recommend a change to diet or lifestyle. For instance restricting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They might prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history and conduct an examination of the body to assess their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor, which is worn for longer periods and captures the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may require blood tests in certain cases to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs.
Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs can be found everywhere and are not usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long time. This can lead to a weakened in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more prevalent in older adults or people suffering from heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with normal heart function, but this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue to worry about but it's important to tell a doctor if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful and do not cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They do not require treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or slurring the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will then interview you and conduct physical examinations, listening to your heart using an stethoscope to identify any irregular beats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done, which will record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected then an all-day Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to capture the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs, and their cause, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.
You may be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good order and to look for structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You might also be asked to undergo an exercise test to find out how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase your frequency of PVCs. You can also have blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium and other hormones to see whether they're low. This can lead to PVCs.
After your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs and has eliminated any serious diseases, the decision of how to treat them will depend on the extent to which they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and do not cause symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to prescribe 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. Lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine, smoking and stress levels that are excessive can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
A person might not experience any symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can appear as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can cause feelings of pressure or fullness, or they can make you feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. Regular PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition wherein the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical. This can be caused by the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain and the absence of exercise can trigger these symptoms.
Some people have found that a change in their diet can reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can, avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium.
Suggested Resource site are important as are annual physicals. These can help diagnose any heart issues which could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to avoid smoking and follow a healthy diet program. This can increase the frequency of episodes.
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Symptoms
If you feel that your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it may be due to premature ventricular contractions. 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 a problem. They typically disappear on their own. If you have many of them, it could cause dizziness or weakening. If you're worried you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about them. They may have to identify the issue by taking a medical history and performing an examination. They may also conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a simple test that lets your health care provider see the signal from your heartbeat moving through your heart for the course of a brief duration. If you have PVCs, they'll show up on the test. Your doctor might also want 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 arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You could 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 heart tests might be required, depending on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests will determine whether you have an issue like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also have to do a blood test to see what the problem is with your electrolytes like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, such as anemia and anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to an electrophysiologist, one of the specialists who specialize in treating abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from structural heart disease the doctor may need to do other tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether you've suffered damage to your heart and how severe it is. In some cases an expert may recommend pacemakers to treat the issue that is causing the PVCs.