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 on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat, and check other vital signs. They might recommend a Holter monitor, a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over 24-48 hours. They can also order blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, which is a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause the sensation of racing or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive PVCs.
While some people don't show any symptoms at all, others feel palpitations, that can be felt as the heart beating faster or slower. Other typical symptoms include fatigue or dizziness, or a feeling of being sick.
window doctors www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient has frequent episodes, a doctor might suggest a change in diet or lifestyle. For example the restriction of caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They may also prescribe medications, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform a physical examination to assess their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer periods and captures the heart's rhythms over time. In certain instances, doctors may order blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.
Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are quite common and don't usually cause any issues, unless they happen frequently over 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 most prevalent in older people or those with any form of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't a serious concern but it's important to tell a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many people, occasional PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. But those who feel their heart has skipped an beat or is racing, it's important to consult a physician as soon as possible.
A cardiologist begins by interviewing you and doing physical examination, and monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular beats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram, which captures the electrical impulses of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified then a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to detect the abnormal rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to 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 the health of your heart is in good shape and to check for structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You could also have an exercise test to determine how your heart responds to exercise, since physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also take blood tests to test your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see whether they're low. This could cause PVCs.
If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment you choose to take will depend on how they affect your life and the frequency they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will recommend any medication to decrease the frequency or severity of them.
If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that do cause 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. Altering your lifestyle to avoid triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can help lower the number of instances of these abnormal pulses.
The following is a list of preventatives.
A person might not experience any symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may be felt as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can create an feeling of fullness or pressure, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart is not functioning as efficiently as it should. PVCs are linked to an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical chemistry. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking alcohol or caffeine. Lack of exercise can trigger these symptoms and stress, as well as excessive weight.
Some people can find that a change in their diet helps to reduce their PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance in the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure that they get enough magnesium and potassium.
It is important to get regular health checks, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions which could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking and adhere to an appropriate diet plan. This can increase your frequency of episodes.
A survey of 14 regular hospital wards showed that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessed conformity to these practices was low. After a feedback intervention the compliance level improved on a few wards but was still low. This suggests that education on how to implement preventive measures is necessary, and that those wards that are not complying should be targeted for surveillance of infection. This information can be used to guide the implementation of further quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will likely require more education and training for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the right materials are available for the implementation of the preventive measures.
Symptoms
The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heart to skip beats or to flutter. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they can be a sign of serious heart problems.
In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't a problem, and they usually go away by themselves. If you have many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They may have to identify the problem by taking an history of your medical condition and performing a physical exam. They'll also probably want to do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A short ECG test allows your doctor to see the signal of your heartbeat going through your body over a an extremely short time. 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 that records your heartbeat for longer durations of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You could also be wearing a device that records your heart rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor.
Other heart tests may be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. For example, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine if you suffer from a condition such as heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also be required to do a blood test to see what's wrong 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 an electrophysiologist who can treat irregular heart rhythms. The specialist might need to conduct other tests if you have heart problems that are structural like a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart is damaged and how severe it is. In certain cases an expert may recommend pacemakers to treat the issue that causes the PVCs.