Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually dangerous, and they can go away on their own.
To determine PVC Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They might order a Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a span of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also request blood tests to check your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses 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 heartbeat to be delayed which can cause an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs may occur alone, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
Some people don't experience any symptoms Some experience palpitations, that can be felt as a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue, dizziness or a sensation of being sick.
Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change to diet or lifestyle like limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They may also prescribe medications like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform a physical examination to assess 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 records the heart's rhythms over time. In certain instances doctors may request blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are all over the place and are generally not harmful when used frequently or for a long time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most common in older people or those with some type of heart disease. This can happen to healthy people who have normal, normal heart. However, it is more prevalent among those who exercise regularly. This is not a serious condition, but you should tell your doctor if symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. However those who feel your heart is lagging a beat or is racing, it's important to see a doctor as soon as you can.
A cardiologist begins by conducting an interview and then perform a a physical exam, monitoring your heart using the stethoscope to look for irregular heartbeats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical impulses of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected it is recommended to have an all-day Holter monitor or a portable ECG is required to capture the abnormal rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason behind them, like an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicities, or other causes.
You may be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural problems which could lead to PVCs. You might also have a stress test to see how your heart reacts to physical activity can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also get blood tests to check your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine whether they're insufficient. This could lead to PVCs.
After your doctor confirms that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the treatment option you choose will depend on how they affect your life and the frequency they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms the doctor is not likely to recommend any treatment to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you experience frequent PVCs that do cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as feeling lightheaded or like you're about to faint, your physician may suggest medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, such as smoking, caffeine and excess stress, can aid in reducing the frequency of times you experience these abnormal pulses.
The following is a list with preventions.
A person might not experience any symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can feel like "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest, and at other times, they can cause a person to feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. This is a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and unable to pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemical balance. This is due to the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Inactivity can trigger these symptoms like stress or excess weight.
Certain people find that a change in diet can reduce their PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause a disturbance to 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 sufficient magnesium and potassium.
It is important to get regular health checks, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any underlying heart conditions which could be causing your PVCs. You should also follow an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
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Signs and symptoms
If you feel like your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they may be the sign of heart problems.
In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They usually disappear by themselves. If you're suffering from a lot of them, they could cause weakness or dizziness. If you're concerned you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They might need to diagnose the problem by taking an medical history and conducting an examination. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests.
An ECG is a quick test that will allow your doctor to detect the signal of your heartbeat moving through your heart in an extremely short period of time. The test will reveal whether you have PVCs. Your doctor might also suggest a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for a longer period of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a portable device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.
Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure, or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can tell whether you have an issue like heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also need to conduct a blood test to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, you may have low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs or another health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You could be referred to an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. This specialist may need to conduct additional tests if you suffer from structural heart diseases, such as a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will help determine if your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances doctors may suggest pacemakers to treat the condition that is causing the PVCs.