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Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats usually aren't hazardous, and they could disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vitals signs. They may order a Holter monitor which records your heart's electrical impulses over 24-48 hours. They might also order blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs occur when electrical impulses coming from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure called the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, leading to a feeling like fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the condition known as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
Some people have no symptoms, while others experience palpitations. It could be a pounding heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue, dizziness or a sensation of being unwell.
A lot of people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient has frequent episodes, a doctor might recommend a change in the diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They might prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam to check their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for longer periods of time, or an electrocardiogram, which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity of the heart. Doctors may require blood tests in some cases to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs.
Sometimes, a pvc physician may refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs are common and rarely cause any problems, unless they occur frequently over a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older people or people suffering from heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with normal heart function, but it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. Usually, this isn't a serious concern, but it is important to speak with your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many people, sporadic PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or require no treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or skipping the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will then interview you and then perform an examination of your body, listening to your heart with an stethoscope to identify any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed, which will record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been detected it is recommended to use an portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other causes.
You may be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural problems which could lead to PVCs. You may also be asked to take an exercise test to find out the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase your frequency of PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to check your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to find out whether they are insufficient which could contribute to the formation of PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious illness out, the decision to treat them depends on how they impact your life and how often they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will suggest any medication to lessen their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs, which can cause palpitations or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your doctor might prescribe medications like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, like abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also reduce the frequency of these irregular pulses.
The following is a list of preventions.
A person may experience no symptoms whatsoever from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can appear as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can cause an feeling of fullness or pressure, or make you feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. 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 balance. This can be caused by the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or weight gain and an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that altering their diet may help to reduce the amount of PVCs. They can, for example, avoid foods that contain preservatives which can disrupt the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium.
Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare staff on 14 wards of a normal hospital found that they were mostly aware of the preventive measures to avoid infections caused by vascular catheters, but that their self-assessed compliance with these measures was low. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training on the best ways to implement preventive measures is necessary and that the wards which are less compliant should be targeted for surveillance of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require additional education and training for staff. It will also involve making sure that the correct materials are in place for the implementation of the preventive measures.
Signs and symptoms
Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or to flutter. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they may be a sign of serious heart issues.
In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't an issue and they generally disappear on their own. However, if you suffer from several of them, they can cause dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about them. You might need to provide a medical history, and they might also perform an examination to determine the cause. They might also perform 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. The test will determine if you have PVCs. the window doctor may also suggest to conduct a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You might also wear a portable device that can record your heart rate over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor.
Other tests for the heart may be needed, depending on the cause of your PVCs. For instance a cardiologist could check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine whether you are suffering from an issue such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also have to conduct an examination of your blood to determine what the problem is in your electrolytes, such as low potassium or high levels of calcium. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, like anemia and anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from 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 help determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe the damage is. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's causing your PVCs.
