Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not harmful and will go away by themselves.
Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They might 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 to check 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 delays the next heartbeat, causing an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs may occur alone or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia can be described as three or more consecutive ones.
While some people don't have any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations which can feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, or feeling unwell.
Many people with occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors could recommend a change in lifestyle or diet including a reduction in caffeine, alcohol and stress. They can also prescribe medications such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about the patient's medical history and do a physical exam to assess their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer periods and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may order blood tests in certain cases to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs are everywhere and are generally not harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older people or people suffering from heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with normal heart function, but it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. It's not an issue to worry about but it's important to consult an expert if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many people, occasional PVCs might not cause symptoms or are harmless and need no treatment. However those who do experience a sensation like their heart has skipped a beat or is racing, it's important to consult a physician as soon as possible.
A cardiologist will begin by interviewing you and performing a a physical exam, listening to your heart with an stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done to record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified it is recommended to have you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to detect the abnormal rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices can assist doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other causes.
An echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to determine whether your heart is healthy and look for any signs of structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to see how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to assess your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to find out whether they are low which could contribute to the development of PVCs.
After your doctor has determined that you're suffering from PVCs and has eliminated any serious illness, the decision on how to treat them will be based on the extent to which they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause any symptoms the doctor is not likely to recommend any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs that can trigger heart palpitations, or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can help lower the number of times you experience these irregular pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which can feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest. Other occasions, they may make a person feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not 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 is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain and the absence of exercise can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that altering their diet may help to reduce PVCs. They can, for instance, avoid foods that contain preservatives which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to get sufficient magnesium.
It is crucial to undergo regular health check-ups, which include annual physicals and lab tests. These tests can help diagnose any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. Also, you should not smoke and adhere to a healthy diet program. This can increase the frequency of episodes.
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Symptoms
If you feel like your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it may be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias could be harmless, but they could be a sign that you have serious heart problems.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They generally disappear on their own. If you're suffering from a lot of them, they can lead to dizziness or weakness. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned. They might need to diagnose the issue by taking an medical history and giving you a physical exam. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram or other tests.
A short ECG test allows your doctor to see the pulse of your heart moving through your body over a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible in the test. Your doctor might also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You may also be wearing 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 required, based on the reason behind your PVCs. For instance, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests can tell if you suffer from an illness such as heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor might also need to conduct an examination of your blood to determine what's wrong with your electrolytes, like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you suffer from PVCs or a different health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
window doctors might be directed to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. If you have structural heart disease, this specialist might need to conduct additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart is damaged and the severity of the damage. In some instances, the specialist might suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's the cause of your PVCs.