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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not hazardous, and they could go away by themselves. Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They might recommend a Holter monitor which is a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over the course of 24 hours. They might also order blood tests to assess the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs happen when electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers ventricles misfire through a structure called the SA node. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed and causes the feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can be seen as a single event, or in repeated patterns. Doublets are PVCs that occur in a series of. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive ones. While some people don't show any symptoms, others feel palpitations, which can feel like an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other symptoms are dizziness, fatigue or a feeling that you're unwell. A lot of people who have occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient has frequent episodes, a physician might suggest a change in diet or lifestyle. For instance restricting caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They may prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Doctors will ask about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to check their general health. They may also use 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. In some cases, doctors may order blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. A pvc doctor may refer patients to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not. PVCs are frequent and usually don't cause any problems unless they happen frequently over a long period of time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older people or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur to healthy individuals with normal, normal heart. However, it's more prevalent in people who regularly exercise. Usually, this isn't an issue to worry about, but it is important to tell an expert if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. But when you feel your heart is lagging a beat or is racing, it's crucial to speak to a doctor immediately. A cardiologist will start by conducting an interview and then perform a physical examination, and listening to your heart with the stethoscope to look for irregular beats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected it is recommended to have you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or another portable ECG is required to detect the abnormal rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices will assist doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the underlying cause for them, like an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicities, or any other cause. An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, can be ordered to assess whether your heart is in good health and to look for signs of structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You could also be asked to undergo stress tests to determine the response of your heart to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of PVCs. You can also have blood tests to test your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This can lead to PVCs. If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose will depend on how they affect your life and the frequency they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to lessen their frequency or severity. If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that do cause palpitations and other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor might recommend medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can help lower the number of times you experience these irregular pulses. Prevention There are people who do not experience symptoms whatsoever from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can be felt as “skipped” beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest. Other times, they can make someone feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as well as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and in a position to not pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. This can be caused by the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain and a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes. Some people can find that a change in diet can reduce their PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance in the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). They can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they are getting enough potassium and magnesium. Regular health checks are crucial and include annual physicals. They can aid in identifying any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. You should also refrain from smoking and adhere to a healthy diet plan. This can increase the frequency of episodes. A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 normal hospital wards revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these practices was low. Compliance improved after an intervention to improve feedback however it was still very low on some of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information could be used to guide the implementation of further quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will most likely require additional education and training of personnel. It is also necessary to ensure that the right tools to implement the preventive measures are available. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they can be a sign of serious heart problems. In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They generally disappear by themselves. However, if you suffer from several of them, they may lead to dizziness or weakness. Talk to window doctor if you are concerned. You may need to give an medical history, and they may also conduct an examination of the body to identify the issue. They might also conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests. A short ECG test lets your doctor see the heartbeat signal moving through your body over the course of a brief period. The test will determine whether you have PVCs. Your doctor might also suggest a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat for a longer period of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, which is a portable device that keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days. Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For instance an cardiologist may test your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine if you suffer from a condition such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also be required to perform a blood test to determine the problem with electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia. You may be referred a specialist in electrophysiology, who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. The specialist might need to conduct other tests if you are suffering from heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart has been damaged and the severity of the damage. In certain cases, a doctor may suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying issue causing your PVCs.