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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 aren't usually hazardous, and they could disappear by themselves. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and also check other vital signs. They might order an Holter monitor, a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs happen when electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure known as the SA node. This delays the next heartbeat and causes an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the term ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Some people have no symptoms, but others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like an unsteady heartbeat or a slurred heartbeat. Other typical symptoms include fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being unwell. Many people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors may recommend a change in lifestyle or diet like limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They can also prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will ask about the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam to determine their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms over longer durations or an electrocardiogram which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity within the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in some instances to look for imbalances in electrolytes or toxic substances in the body. Sometimes, a pvc physician may refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm problems or an electrophysiologist to conduct a further examination. The doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant. PVCs are everywhere and aren't usually harmful when used frequently or for a long period of time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most prevalent for people over the age of 65, or those who have any form of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. This is not a serious condition, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur. Treatment PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or not making the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately. A cardiologist begins by interviewing you and performing a physical examination, and monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed, which will record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified it is recommended to use an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors. You may be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is good and to look for structural problems which could lead to PVCs. You could also have a stress test to check how your heart responds to exercise, since physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to assess your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to find out whether they are low, which can contribute to the development of PVCs. After your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has eliminated any serious illnesses, 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 only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to lessen the frequency or severity of them. If you experience frequent PVCs that cause heart palpitations, or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can also help lower the number of times you experience these abnormal pulses. Prevention There are people who do not experience symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may feel like “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause a fullness or pressure in the chest, and other times, they can make a person feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. The frequent PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart gets larger and becomes ineffective at pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This includes the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain or the absence of exercise can trigger these episodes. Certain people find that changing their diet can help reduce PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) diazole sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium. Regular health checks are important, including yearly physicals. These tests can help identify any heart issues that could be the cause of your PVCs. You should also not smoke and adhere to a healthy diet program. This can increase the frequency of episodes. A survey of 14 regular hospital wards showed that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures against the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of compliance to these procedures was not high. After a feedback program the compliance level improved on a few wards but was still low. This suggests that education on how to implement preventive measures is required and that areas that are not as well-adjusted should be targeted for surveillance of infection. repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. It is likely that this will require additional education and training of personnel. It is also necessary to ensure that the appropriate tools for implementing the preventive measures are available. Symptoms The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heartbeat to skip or be fluttering. These arrhythmias could be normal, or they could indicate that you have serious heart problems. In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they generally disappear by themselves. However, if you suffer from several of them, they could cause dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. You may need to give a medical history, and they may also conduct an examination of the body to identify the issue. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests. A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the heartbeat signal moving through your body over an extremely short time. If you have PVCs, they will show on the test. Your doctor may also suggest to perform a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer durations of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device that records your heart rhythm for 30 days. Other heart tests might be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For example a cardiologist could check your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests can tell if you suffer from an issue 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 in your electrolytes, such as low potassium or high levels of calcium. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, like anxiety disorders and anemia. You could be referred to an electrophysiologist who treats abnormal heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to conduct other tests if you are suffering from heart conditions that cause structural damage like a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether you've suffered damage to your heart and how severe it is. In certain cases, a specialist might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is the cause of your PVCs.