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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are typically not dangerous and can go away by themselves. Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vitals signs. They might recommend a Holter monitor, a device that records your heart's electrical impulses over 24-48 hours. They may also order blood tests to check your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, leading to an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen as a single event or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, while others experience palpitations. It can be felt as the sound of a beating heart or a rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, or feeling unwell. Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient has frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to diet or lifestyle. For instance, limiting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They can also prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and perform an examination to assess their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms over longer periods of time or an electrocardiogram which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity in the heart. Doctors may request blood tests in some instances to check for electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity. A pvc doctor may refer patients to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not. PVCs are all over the place and aren't usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most prevalent in people who are older or those suffering from 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. This is not a serious condition, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur. window doctors For many people, occasional PVCs might not cause symptoms or need no treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or not making a beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately. A cardiologist begins by interviewing you and performing a an examination of your body, listening to your heart with the stethoscope to look for irregular beats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed to record the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified it is recommended to have an all-day Holter monitor or other portable ECG is required to capture the abnormal rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other causes. An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to determine if your heart is healthy and look for any indications of structural issues which could cause PVCs. You might also be asked to take an exercise test to find out the response of your heart to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of PVCs. You can also have blood tests to check your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine whether they're low. This can lead to PVCs. After your doctor has determined that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled out any serious diseases, the decision on how to treat them will be contingent on the extent to which they impact your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms the doctor is not likely to prescribe any medication that can reduce their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs, which can cause palpitations or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Making changes to your lifestyle in order to stay clear of triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can aid in reducing the frequency of instances of these irregular pulses. Prevention PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which can be described as “skipped beats” or flutters in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest, and at other times, they can cause a person to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as well as it should. Frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition where the heart enlarges and is not able to pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical balance. This includes the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or weight gain and an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these episodes. Certain people find that a change in diet can reduce their PVCs. They can, for example, avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and diazole, and disodium inosinate Sodium (E282-283). They can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting enough magnesium and potassium. Regular health checks are essential and include annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart issues that could cause your PVCs. It is also recommended to not smoke and adhere to a healthy diet plan. This can increase your frequency of episodes. A survey of healthcare workers on 14 wards of a normal hospital showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat vascular catheter-related infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these practices was low. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain wards, but it was still not as high. 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. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require additional training and education for staff. It will also mean making sure that the right materials are in place for the implementing of the preventive measures. Signs and symptoms If you feel that your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it could be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they could be a sign of serious heart problems. In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't an issue and they usually go away on their own. If you've got many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakening. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned. They may have to identify the issue by taking an medical history and conducting a physical exam. They'll also probably want to conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the pulse of your heart moving through your body for a an extremely short time. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also suggest a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat for a longer period of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device which records your heart rhythm for 30 days. Other tests for the heart may be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For instance an cardiologist may test your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine whether you are suffering from an illness such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also have to conduct tests on your blood to identify the problem with electrolytes. For instance, you may have low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia. You may be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. If you have structural heart disease the doctor may need to perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine if your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances, the doctor might suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's the cause of your PVCs.