Why It's Important to See a Doctor

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not dangerous, and they can disappear on their own.

Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vital indicators. They may also order an Holter Monitor, which records the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They may also order blood tests for checking your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.

Diagnosis

PVCs are caused by electrical impulses coming from the heart's lower chambers, or ventricles, misfire through a structure called the SA node. This delay the next heartbeat, causing a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can occur in isolation, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the condition known as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).

Some people don't experience any symptoms at all Others experience heart palpitations which can feel like a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling of being unwell.

A lot of people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors could suggest a change in diet or lifestyle including a reduction in alcohol, caffeine and stress. They can prescribe medication such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can 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 an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. In some cases, doctors may order blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.

Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm problems, 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 fairly common and don't usually cause any problems unless they occur frequently over a long period of time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common in people who are older, or those who have some type of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. Usually, this isn't an issue to worry about, but it is important to speak with a door doctor if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.

Treatment

For many people, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. But when you do feel your heart is lagging a beat or is racing, it's crucial to speak to a doctor as soon as you can.

A cardiologist will start by interviewing you and performing a an examination of your body, monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular beats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical impulses of your heart, allowing you to identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected it is recommended to use a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor is required to record the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will assist doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the underlying cause for them, like an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity, or other factors.

You might be asked 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 lead to PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to check how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical activity can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also take blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This could cause PVCs.

After your doctor has determined that you have PVCs and has eliminated any serious illnesses, the decision of how to treat them will be based on the degree to which they're affecting your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they only occur occasionally and do not cause symptoms the doctor is not likely to prescribe any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.

However, if you have frequent PVCs that cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms like lightheadedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your doctor might recommend medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes like abstaining from smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can also reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses.

Prevention

PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in your chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest, and other times, they can make someone feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart isn't functioning as efficiently as it should. Regular PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart expands and is not able to pump blood.

PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. This includes the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or weight gain, as well as a lack of exercise, can trigger these symptoms.

Some people have found that a change in their diet helps to reduce their PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause disturbances in the heartbeat, for example disodium guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they are getting enough potassium and magnesium.

It is crucial to undergo regular health checks, including yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help diagnose any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to avoid smoking and follow a healthy diet program. This can increase your frequency of episodes.

A survey of 14 normal hospital wards showed that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of compliance to these guidelines was low. The compliance improved following feedback interventions, but was still low on a few of the wards surveyed. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures, and that wards that are less 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 likely require more education and training for personnel. It is also necessary to ensure that the correct tools for implementing the preventive measures are available.

Symptoms

If you feel like your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it may be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless, but they could indicate that you are suffering from serious heart issues.

In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't an issue and they usually go away by themselves. If you've got a lot of them, it could cause dizziness or weakening. If you're worried, talk to your doctor about them. They may have to identify the issue by taking an history of your medical condition and conducting a physical exam. They might also need to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.

An ECG is a quick test that will allow your doctor to observe the signal generated by your heartbeat as it travels through your heart over the course of a brief period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible in the test. Your doctor may also decide to conduct a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat for longer durations of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.

Other tests for the heart may be required, based on the reason behind your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can determine if you suffer from a condition such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.

Your glass doctor might also need to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine what is wrong with your electrolytes for example, low potassium levels or high calcium levels. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, such as anemia and anxiety disorders.

You may be referred to an electrophysiologist who treats abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural 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 cases, a specialist may recommend pacemakers to treat the condition that is causing the PVCs.

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