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Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs), are a kind of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are usually not harmful and will disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat, and check other vital signs. They might recommend a Holter monitor which tracks your heart's electrical impulses over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They may also request blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses coming from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure referred to as the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the condition known as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't show any symptoms, others feel palpitations, which could feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell.
Many people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors might suggest a change in lifestyle or diet, such as limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They may also prescribe medications, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform a physical examination to determine their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for longer durations, or an electrocardiogram, which records a snapshot of the electrical activity in the heart. Doctors may require blood tests in some cases to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs.
double glazing doctor might refer the patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. The doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.
PVCs can be found everywhere and are not usually harmful when used frequently or for a long time. This can lead to a weakened in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. It is more common for people over the age of 65, or those who have some form of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. This is not a serious problem, but it is important to consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They do not require treatment. However those who do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging an beat or is racing, it's vital to speak to a doctor as soon as possible.
A cardiologist will first interview you and conduct an examination of your body and listen to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical impulses of your heart, allowing you to identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified then an all-day Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to record the irregular rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other factors.
An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to assess if your heart is healthy and look for any signs of structural problems that can lead to PVCs. You may also be asked to undergo an exercise test to find out the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase your frequency of pvcs. You can also take blood tests to test your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium and other hormones to see whether they're insufficient. This can lead to PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the decision to treat them is based on the impact they have on your life and the frequency they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to decrease their frequency or severity.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, which can cause pulses or other symptoms, like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your doctor might prescribe medications like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can also help lower the number of instances of these abnormal pulses.
The following is a list of preventions.
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations that can be described as "skipped beats" or flutterings in the chest. These episodes can cause feelings of pressure or fullness, or they can make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as well as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart expands and becomes unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. They can be caused by the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, as well as drinking caffeine or alcohol. Inactivity can trigger these symptoms, as can stress or excess weight.
Certain people find that changing their diet can help reduce PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance in the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting enough potassium and magnesium.
Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. You should also follow an eat-healthy diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of healthcare workers on 14 normal hospital wards showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these guidelines was poor. After a feedback intervention that improved compliance on certain wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require additional education and training of personnel. It will also be necessary to ensure that the correct materials for implementing the preventive measures are readily available.
Symptoms
If you feel your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it may be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be harmless, but they could indicate you are suffering from serious heart issues.
In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't a problem, and they generally disappear on their own. But if you have several of them, they can cause dizziness or weakness. If you're worried, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. You might be required to provide an medical history, and they might also perform a physical examination in order to diagnose the problem. They'll also probably want to conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A short ECG test lets your doctor see the pulse of your heart moving through your body over a short period of time. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also recommend the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for a longer period of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.
Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the reason behind your PVCs. For instance, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine whether you are suffering from an illness like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also have to do an examination of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes such as low potassium or high calcium levels. This could indicate that you have PVCs, or another problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease the doctor may need to perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether your heart has been damaged and the severity of the damage. In some cases, the doctor may recommend an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is creating your PVCs.
