Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a type of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are usually not harmful and will disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vital signs. They might order a Holter monitor which is a device that records your heart's electrical impulses over 24-48 hours. They might also order blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This delays the next heartbeat which can cause an experience of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can occur in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are PVCs that occur in a series of. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive PVCs.
While some people don't have any symptoms whatsoever, others feel palpitations, that can be felt as an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other signs include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you're unwell.
Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician might suggest a change in diet or lifestyle. For instance the restriction of caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They may prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history and conduct an examination to assess their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor, which is worn for longer durations and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may request blood tests in some cases to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor may refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are fairly common and don't usually cause any issues, unless they happen frequently over a long time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more prevalent in older people or people suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with normal heart function, but this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious concern however it is crucial to speak with your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many people, sporadic PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and need no treatment. However when you do experience a sensation like their heart has skipped a beat or is racing, it's crucial to consult a physician as soon as you can.
A cardiologist will then interview you and then perform physical examinations, listening to your heart using a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified then a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor is required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices can assist doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other factors.
You might be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine the health of your heart is good and to look for structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You may also be required to undergo stress tests to find out how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of PVCs. You can also take blood tests to check your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium and other hormones to see whether they're low. This could lead to PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the treatment you choose to take is based on the impact they have on your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will suggest any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs that can trigger heart palpitations, or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor might prescribe medications like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changes in your lifestyle, such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also decrease the frequency of these irregular pulses.
Prevention
A person might not experience any symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can be felt as "skipped" beats or fluttering in the chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of pressure or fullness or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. Regular PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart expands and is 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, as well as drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain or a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that changing their diet can help reduce PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause disturbances in the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they're getting sufficient magnesium and potassium.
It is essential to have regular health checks, including yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions that could cause your PVCs. You should also follow an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare workers on 14 wards of a normal hospital revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures for vascular catheter-related infections However, their self-assessed compliance with these practices was low. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain wards but was still low. This suggests that education on how to implement the preventive measures is essential, and that those wards that are not complying should be targeted for surveillance 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 additional education and training of personnel. It will also be necessary to ensure that the right tools for implementing the preventive measures are available.
Source of the ventricular muscle can cause your heartbeat to skip or flutter. These arrhythmias can be normal, or they could indicate that you have serious heart problems.
In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't an issue and they usually disappear on their own. If you have many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakening. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They might need to diagnose the issue by taking an medical history and giving you a physical exam. They'll likely also need to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a test that's quick that lets your health care provider observe the signal generated by your heartbeat as it travels through your heart over the course of a brief period of time. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also decide to do an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer durations of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You could also be wearing a device that can record your heart rate over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor.
Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the reason behind your PVCs. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can reveal whether you suffer from a condition that may be responsible for your PVCs, such as mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also be required to run an examination of your blood to determine what's wrong in your electrolytes, for example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, including anemia and anxiety disorders.
You may be referred a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural the doctor may need to conduct additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether your heart is damaged and the severity of the damage. In certain cases, a doctor might suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying issue causing your PVCs.