Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually risky, and they may disappear by themselves.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. 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 for checking your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, which is a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, causing a feeling like racing or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, while others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like the sound of a beating heart or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being sick.
Many people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors might suggest a change in the way of life or diet, such as limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They can prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and conduct an examination to determine their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for longer durations, or an electrocardiogram, which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity of the heart. Doctors may require blood tests in some instances to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are quite frequent and usually don't cause any problems, except when they are frequent over a long period of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most prevalent for people over the age of 65 or those with some type of heart disease. It can also occur to healthy individuals with normal, normal heart. However, it is more prevalent among those who exercise regularly. It is not a major issue, but you should tell your doctor if symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They don't require treatment. However, for those who feel your heart is lagging an beat or is racing, it's crucial to consult a physician as soon as possible.
A cardiologist will first interview you and perform an examination of your body by listening to your heart using a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram, which captures the electrical impulses of your heart, allowing you to identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found then you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to record the irregular rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason behind them, such as an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicities, or other causes.
An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart, can be ordered to assess if your heart is healthy and to look for signs of structural problems that can lead to PVCs. You could also have an exercise test to determine how your heart responds to physical activity can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You may also undergo blood tests to check your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to determine if they are too low and can cause the development of PVCs.
Once your doctor has confirmed that you're suffering from PVCs and has eliminated any serious illnesses, the decision on how to treat them will be based on how much they're impacting your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to lessen their frequency or severity.
If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that trigger the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your physician might recommend medications like 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 instances of these irregular pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may feel like "skipped beats" or flutterings in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause a fullness or pressure in the chest, and other times, they can cause a person to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart isn't functioning as efficiently as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart expands and becomes unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical chemistry. These include the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, and drinking alcohol or caffeine. Inactivity can trigger these symptoms and stress, as well as excessive weight.
Some people find that changing their diet may help to reduce the number of PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause disturbances in the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get enough magnesium and potassium.
It is important to get regular health check-ups, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help diagnose any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an eat-healthy diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
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Signs and symptoms
Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heart to skip beats or flutter. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they may be the sign of heart problems.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They generally disappear on their own. But if you have many of them, they could lead to dizziness or weakness. Talk to your doctor if you are worried. You may need to give an medical history, and they may also conduct an examination of the body to identify the issue. They'll likely also need to conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a quick test that lets your health care provider detect the signal of your heartbeat as it travels through your heart for the course of a brief time. If you have PVCs, they will show in the test. Your doctor may also recommend 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 might also carry a device that records 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 an cardiologist may test your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can tell whether you are suffering from an illness like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also be required to conduct a blood test to determine the issue with electrolytes. For example, low potassium or high levels of calcium. window doctors near me repairmywindowsanddoors can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, like anxiety disorders and anemia.
You could be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. If you have heart disease that is structural the specialist may have to conduct additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will tell you whether you've damaged your heart and how severe it is. In some instances, a specialist may recommend a pacemaker to treat the condition that causes the PVCs.