Why It's Important to See a Doctor

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually risky, and they may disappear by themselves.

To diagnose PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat and check other vital signs. They may also order an Holter Monitor, which records the electrical impulses generated by your heart over a period of between 24 and 48 hours. They may also request blood tests to assess the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.

Diagnosis

PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive ones.

While some people don't have any symptoms at all Some experience palpitations, which can feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other typical symptoms include fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being unwell.

A lot of people who have occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors could recommend a change in the way of life or diet, such as limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.

windows doctor will inquire about their medical history and conduct an examination of the body to check on their general health. They can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. In certain instances, doctors may order blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.

A pvc physician may refer patients to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.

PVCs are common and don't usually cause any issues, except when they are frequent over a long period of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common for people over the age of 65 or those with some type of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. Usually, this isn't an issue to worry about, but it is important to speak with an expert if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.

Treatment

PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or skipping a beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.

A cardiologist will interview you and conduct an examination of your body by listening to your heart using an stethoscope to identify any irregular beats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed to record the electrical signals in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified then the use of a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the underlying cause for them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicities, 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 shape and to check for structural problems that could cause PVCs. You could also be required to undergo an exercise test to determine how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also have blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium, and other hormones to see whether they're low. This can lead to PVCs.

If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the treatment you choose to take depends on how they impact your life and the frequency they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms the doctor is not likely to prescribe any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.

However, if you have frequent PVCs that cause the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, such as light-headedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor may suggest medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can also aid in reducing the frequency of occurrences of these irregular 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 can appear as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure, or make you feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart is not pumping as effectively as normal. PVCs are linked to an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and unable to pump blood.

PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This includes the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or excess weight, as well as an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these episodes.

Some people have found that a change in diet helps to reduce their PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause disturbances in the heartbeat, for example disodium Guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they're getting enough potassium and magnesium.

Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These tests can help you identify any heart-related conditions that could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow an appropriate diet program. This can increase your frequency of episodes.

A survey of 14 typical hospital wards showed that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of conformity to these practices was low. Compliance improved following a feedback intervention however it was still very low on a few of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that training on how to implement preventive measures is required and that wards which are less compliant should be targeted for infection surveillance. This information can be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will likely require further education and training for staff. It will also involve making sure that the correct materials are available for the implementing of the preventive measures.

Symptoms

Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip or be fluttering. These arrhythmias can be harmless or they may be a sign of serious heart issues.

In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they usually go away by themselves. If you have many 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 determine the cause. They might also need to conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests.

An ECG is a quick test that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat moving through your heart for a short duration. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also recommend a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat for a longer period of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You may also carry a device that can record your heart's rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor.

Other heart tests may be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. For instance a cardiologist could check your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests can reveal the presence of a medical condition that may be causing your PVCs, such as mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.

Your doctor may also need to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could indicate that you suffer from PVCs or a different problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.


You may be referred an electrophysiologist who treats abnormal heart rhythms. The specialist might need to perform other tests if you are suffering from heart problems that are structural like the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe the damage is. In certain cases an expert may recommend a pacemaker to treat the condition that is causing the PVCs.