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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not hazardous, and they could go away by themselves. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and check other vital indicators. the window doctor may also order a Holter Monitor, which records the electrical impulses of your heart over a time of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also request blood tests to check your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs happen when electrical impulses coming from the heart's lower chambers, or ventricles, misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This delay the next heartbeat which can cause a feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can be seen as a single event or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia can be described as three or more consecutive PVCs. Some people do not experience any symptoms, but others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like a pounding heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you're unwell. A lot of people who have occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors might suggest a change to diet or lifestyle like limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may also prescribe medication, such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and conduct a physical exam to determine their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer durations and records the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may require blood tests in some instances to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity. Sometimes, a pvc physician may refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not. PVCs are common and rarely cause any problems unless they happen frequently over a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more prevalent in older people or those with heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people with normal, normal hearts. However, it is more prevalent in people who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue that is serious but it's important to speak with a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment For many, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. But those who do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging a beat or is racing, it's important to speak to a doctor as soon as you can. A cardiologist will first interview you and perform physical examinations by listening to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical signals of your heart, allowing you to identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is discovered it is recommended to use an portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to record the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and their causes which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other causes. An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to assess whether your heart is healthy and check for indications of structural issues that can lead to PVCs. You could also have a stress test to see how your heart reacts to exercise, since physical activity can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also get blood tests to test your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to determine whether they're low. This could cause PVCs. If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the treatment option you choose is based on the impact they have on your life and how frequently 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 you experience frequent PVCs that cause palpitations and other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor may suggest medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses. Prevention A person may experience no symptoms at all from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can feel like “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. These episodes can trigger an feeling of pressure or fullness or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. Frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart enlarges and becomes ineffective at pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemical balance. This includes the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Inactivity can trigger these symptoms like stress or excessive weight. Some people can find that a change in diet helps to reduce their PVCs. They can, for instance avoid foods that contain preservatives that can disrupt the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium. It is important to get regular health check-ups, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These can help diagnose any heart-related conditions that could be the cause of your PVCs. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking and adhere to a healthy diet plan. This could increase the frequency of episodes. A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 normal hospital wards showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures for vascular catheter-related infections However, their self-assessed compliance with these practices was poor. After a feedback intervention the compliance level improved on a few wards but was still low. This suggests that education is required to implement preventive measures, and that wards that are less conforming should be targeted for infection monitoring. This information could be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will likely require further education and training for staff. It will also be necessary to ensure that the appropriate materials for implementing the preventive measures are in place. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heartbeat to skip or be fluttering. These arrhythmias may be harmless, but they could indicate you are suffering from serious heart issues. In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't a problem, and they generally disappear by themselves. If you've got many of them, it could cause dizziness or weakening. Speak to your doctor if you're worried. You may need to give your medical history and they might also perform an examination of the body to determine the cause. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests. A short ECG test lets your doctor see the heartbeat signal going through your body over a a short period of time. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor might also suggest a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You might also be wearing a device that can record your heart rate over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor. Other heart tests may be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. For instance an cardiologist may test your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These can help find whether you suffer from a condition that may be the cause of your PVCs, such as mitral valve prolapse or heart failure. Your doctor might also need to do an analysis of your blood to determine what's wrong with your electrolytes such as low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs, or another problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders. You may be referred a specialist in electrophysiology, who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from structural heart disease, this specialist might need to conduct additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances, the doctor may suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is causing your PVCs.