Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs), are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and can go away by themselves.
To diagnose PVC doctors listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital indicators. They might order an Holter monitor, a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They may also order blood tests to determine your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed and causes a feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs may occur alone, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the condition known as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't show any symptoms at all Others experience heart palpitations which can feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other signs are dizziness, fatigue or feeling unwell.
A lot of people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a doctor may recommend a change to diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They may also prescribe medication like calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to check their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for longer durations or an electrocardiogram which captures a picture of the electrical activity of the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in some cases to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm issues or an electrophysiologist to conduct a further examination. The doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.
PVCs can be found everywhere and aren't usually harmful unless they are used regularly or for a long time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older adults or those with heart disease. It can also happen to healthy individuals with normal, normal heart. However, it's more common in those who exercise regularly. It is not a major issue, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
For many people, sporadic PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and need no treatment. But, for those who do experience a sensation like their heart has skipped an beat or is racing, it's crucial to see a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will interview you and conduct a physical examination and listen to your heart through an stethoscope to identify any irregular beats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found it is recommended to have you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be required to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other causes.
You might be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural issues that could cause PVCs. You could also be required to undergo an exercise test to find out the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of PVCs. You can also get blood tests to test your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium, and other hormones to determine whether they're low. This could lead to PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the decision to treat them will depend on how they affect your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will prescribe any medication to reduce the frequency or severity of them.
If you experience frequent PVCs that cause pulses or other symptoms, such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can also reduce the frequency of instances of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations that can be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. These episodes can cause an feeling of pressure or fullness or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. The frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart gets larger and becomes ineffective at pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemical balance. relevant site include the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well as drinking caffeine or alcohol. Inactivity can trigger these symptoms, as can stress or excessive weight.
Some people can find that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause disturbances in the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and veggies to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium.
Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These tests can help you identify any heart issues that could cause your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to a healthy eating plan and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
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Symptoms
Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heartbeat to skip or flutter. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they could be the sign of heart issues.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not a problem. They typically disappear on their own. However, if you suffer from many of them, they can lead to dizziness or weakness. If you're worried, talk to your doctor about them. They may need to determine the issue by taking a medical history and giving you a physical exam. They'll likely also need to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A quick ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the signal of your heartbeat going through your body over a a short period of time. The test will determine if you have PVCs. Your doctor might also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer period of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You may also wear a portable device that can record your heart's rhythm over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor.
Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can determine whether you are suffering from a condition like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also need to conduct a blood test to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs, or another problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.
You might be referred to an electrophysiologist a specialist who specializes in treating irregular heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease the specialist may have to perform additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart has been damaged and the severity of the damage. In some cases, a specialist may recommend a pacemaker to treat the issue that causes the PVCs.