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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a kind of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats usually aren't hazardous, and they could disappear on their own. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and also check other vital signs. They might order an Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses generated by your heart over a span of between 24 and 48 hours. They may also order blood tests for checking your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs occur when electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure called the SA node. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed which can cause a feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular tachycardia (VT). While some people don't have any symptoms Others experience heart palpitations which can feel like a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other symptoms are dizziness, fatigue or feeling unwell. Many people who have occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a doctor might recommend a change in the diet or lifestyle. For instance, limiting caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They might prescribe medication such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Doctors will ask about the medical history of the patient and perform a physical examination to determine their general health. They can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer durations and records the heart's rhythms over time. In certain instances doctors may require blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs. A pvc doctor may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are fairly common and don't usually cause any issues, unless they occur frequently over a long time. This could lead to a 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 suffering from any form of heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people with a normal, normal heart. However, it's more common in those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't a serious concern however it is crucial to consult a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs aren't harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. But those who do feel your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it's vital to see a doctor as soon as you can. A cardiologist begins by interviewing you and performing a an examination of your body, listening to your heart with an stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done, which will record the electrical impulses in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found then you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to capture the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason behind them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicities, or other causes. You might be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine the health of your heart is in good order and to look for structural issues that could cause PVCs. You could also be required to undergo a stress test in order to find out how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of pvcs. You may also undergo blood tests to check your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to determine whether they are insufficient, which can contribute to the formation of PVCs. Once your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled out any serious illness, the decision on whether or not to treat them will be based on the extent to which they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and do not cause symptoms the doctor is not likely to recommend any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs, which can cause heart palpitations, or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changes in your lifestyle, such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress, can reduce the frequency of these irregular pulses. The following is a list with preventions. A person might not experience any symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may appear as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can trigger an feeling of fullness or pressure, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it normally does. PVCs are linked to an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemistry. This is due to the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. A lack of exercise can trigger these episodes like stress or excessive weight. Some people have found that a change in diet can reduce their PVCs. They can, for example avoid foods that contain preservatives which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate sodium (E282-283). You can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they're getting enough magnesium and potassium. Regular health checks are crucial as are annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. You should also follow a healthy eating plan and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of 14 regular hospital wards found that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures against vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessed conformity to these practices was low. After a feedback intervention the compliance level improved on a few wards but was still low. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less conforming should be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This could involve more education and training for personnel. It is also necessary to ensure that the appropriate tools for implementing the preventive measures are readily available. If you feel your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it could be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be harmless, or they could indicate that you have serious heart problems. In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not a problem. They generally disappear by themselves. If you have many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakening. If you're worried, talk to your doctor about them. They might need to diagnose the problem by taking an medical history and performing an examination. They'll likely also need to conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. A quick ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the pulse of your heart moving through your body over the course of a brief period. The test will reveal whether you have PVCs. Your doctor may also suggest to perform a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat over longer periods of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days. Other tests for your heart might be needed, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests will determine if you suffer from a condition like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also have to perform a blood test to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, you may have low potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs or a different health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders. You may be referred to an electrophysiologist one of the specialists who specialize in treating abnormal heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease the specialist may have to do other tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can tell whether you've suffered damage to your heart and how serious it is. In some instances an expert may recommend pacemakers to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs. |
