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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 are usually not risky, and they may disappear on their own. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital indicators. They might recommend an Holter monitor which is a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They may also order blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, which is a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the term ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Some people don't experience any symptoms, others feel palpitations, which can feel like an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other common symptoms are tiredness or dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell. Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a doctor might suggest a change in the diet or lifestyle. For instance the restriction of caffeine, stress, and alcohol. 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 their medical history and conduct an examination to determine their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms over longer durations or an electrocardiogram which records a snapshot of the electrical activity in the heart. In certain instances doctors may request blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. A pvc doctor may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or malignant. PVCs are quite frequent and usually don't cause any problems unless they happen frequently over a long time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most prevalent in older people or those suffering from some form of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with normal heart function, but this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. Usually, this isn't an issue to worry about however it is crucial to speak with an expert if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They do not require treatment. But those who do experience a sensation like their heart has skipped a beat or is racing, it's crucial to speak to a doctor immediately. A cardiologist will start by interviewing you and performing a an examination of your body, listening to your heart with a stethoscope for any irregular beats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical signals of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found it is recommended to have an all-day Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be needed to detect the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help 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, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to assess if your heart is healthy and to look for signs of structural problems that can lead to PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to check how your heart reacts to exercise, since physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also get blood tests to test your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium and other hormones to see whether they're insufficient. This could cause PVCs. After your doctor has determined that you have PVCs and has ruled out any serious diseases, the decision of whether or not to treat them will be contingent on the degree to which they're affecting your life and how often they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to decrease their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that can trigger 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. Lifestyle changes like abstaining from smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses. Prevention A person might not experience any symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can feel like “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. These episodes can create a feeling of pressure or fullness or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and unable to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemical chemistry. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or excess weight or a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes. the window doctor find that altering their diet may help to reduce PVCs. For instance, they can, avoid foods that contain preservatives that could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, disodium Inosinate, and diazole Sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting enough potassium and magnesium. Regular health checks are essential and include annual physicals. These tests can help diagnose any heart conditions that may be causing your PVCs. You should also refrain from smoking and adhere to a healthy diet program. This can increase the frequency of episodes. A survey of 14 normal hospital wards showed that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessed conformity to these practices was low. Compliance improved after feedback interventions however, it was still low on a few of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that education on the best ways to implement preventive measures is required and that the wards that are not complying should be targeted for infection surveillance. This information could be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This will most likely require more education and training for staff. It is also necessary to ensure that the appropriate tools for implementing the preventive measures are available. Symptoms Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heartbeat to skip or be fluttering. These arrhythmias can be harmless or they can be the sign of heart problems. In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They usually disappear on their own. If you have many of them, it could cause dizziness or weakening. Consult your doctor if you are concerned. They may have to identify the problem by taking an medical history and giving you a physical exam. They may also do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. An ECG is a test that's quick that allows your health care provider detect the signal of your heartbeat as it travels through your heart over a short duration. If you have PVCs, they'll show up in the test. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a portable 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 example an cardiologist may test your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can determine if you suffer from an issue such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also have to do a blood test to see what the problem is in your electrolytes, for example, low potassium levels or high calcium levels. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, including anemia and anxiety disorders. You may be referred to an electrophysiologist an expert who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. This specialist may need to conduct other tests if you are suffering from structural heart diseases, such as an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances, the doctor might suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is creating your PVCs.