Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are typically not harmful and will be cured by themselves. To determine PVC doctors listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital signs. They may also order a Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to assess the levels of electrolytes 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 causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause an experience similar to the heart is fluttering or skips beats. 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). While some people don't show any symptoms whatsoever, others feel palpitations, which could feel like a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being unwell. Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician might recommend a change in diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They may also prescribe medications like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to determine their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor, which is worn for longer time periods and captures the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may request blood tests in some cases to check for electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity. A pvc doctor may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. The doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant. PVCs are fairly common and rarely cause any issues, unless they occur frequently over a long period of 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 who have some form of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with normal heart function, but this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious problem, but it is important to tell your doctor if symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur. Treatment For many people, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or slurring an entire beat, you need to seek out a physician immediately. A cardiologist will then interview you and then perform physical examinations and listen to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed to record the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be required to capture the abnormal rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices can assist doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and their causes which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other causes. 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 problems that could lead to PVCs. You might also have a stress test to check how your heart responds to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also get blood tests to check your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see if they're too low. This could lead to PVCs. After your doctor has determined that you suffer from PVCs and has eliminated any serious illness, the decision on whether to treat them will depend on the extent to which they impact your life and how often they occur. If they happen only infrequently and do not cause symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any treatment that can decrease their frequency or severity. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs that can trigger palpitations or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your doctor may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Making changes to your lifestyle in order to stay clear of triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can aid in reducing the frequency of instances of these abnormal pulses. Prevention There are people who do not experience symptoms at all from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can feel like "skipped" beats or fluttering in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause a fullness or pressure in the chest, and other times they can make someone feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as well as it should. 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 usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This includes the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, in addition to drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain, as well as the absence of exercise can trigger these episodes. Some people have found that a change in diet helps to reduce their PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) diazole sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium. Regular health checks are crucial as are annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart issues that could cause your PVCs. You should also follow an appropriate diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of 14 normal hospital wards revealed that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures against infections caused by vascular catheters, however their self-assessment of conformity to these practices was low. Compliance improved following a feedback intervention however, it was still low on some of the wards surveyed. This suggests that education is required to implement preventive measures and those wards that are not conforming should be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can be used to guide the implementation of additional quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This will likely involve more education and training for staff. It will also be important to ensure that the appropriate tools for implementing the preventive measures are in place. Symptoms Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip or be fluttering. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they may be a sign of serious heart issues. In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem, and they usually go away by themselves. If you've got many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakening. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/window-doctor-poole/ concerned you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. You might be required to provide your medical history and they may also conduct a physical examination in order to identify the issue. They may also conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. A short ECG test allows your doctor to see the pulse of your heart going through your body over a an extremely short time. The test will determine whether you have PVCs. Your doctor might also suggest a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer period of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You could also wear a portable device that records your heart rhythm over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor. Other tests for your heart might be needed, depending on the reason for your PVCs. For instance a cardiologist could check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can determine whether you are suffering from a condition such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also have to run a blood test to see what is wrong with 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 anxiety disorders and anemia. You may be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. If you have heart disease that is structural, this specialist might need to do other tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine if your heart is damaged and the severity of the damage. In certain cases, a doctor may recommend an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is the cause of your PVCs.