Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are typically not dangerous and can disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vitals signs. They may order a Holter monitor which is a device that records your heart's electrical impulses over the course of 24 hours. They may also request blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause a feeling like the heart is fluttering or skips beats. PVCs may occur alone, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the condition known as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't show any symptoms whatsoever, others feel palpitations, which can feel like an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you're unwell.
Many people with occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors might suggest a change in the way of life or diet like limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will ask about the medical history of the patient and perform a physical examination to check their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time, or an electrocardiogram, which captures a picture of the electrical activity within the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in some instances to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body.
A pvc physician may refer a patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant.
PVCs are all over the place and are generally not harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more prevalent in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't a serious concern, but it is important to speak with your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. But when you do experience a sensation like their heart has skipped an beat or is racing, it's vital to speak to a doctor as soon as you can.
A cardiologist will start by interviewing you and performing a a physical exam, listening to your heart with the stethoscope to look for irregular beats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done to record the electrical impulses in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to detect the abnormal rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and their causes like an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other causes.
You may be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You may also undergo an exercise test to determine how your heart reacts to physical activity can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to test your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This could cause PVCs.
After your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled any serious diseases out, the decision to treat them is based on the impact they have on your life and the frequency they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to reduce their frequency or severity.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs that cause pulses or other symptoms, like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes such as abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
The following is a list of preventatives.
There are people who do not experience symptoms whatsoever from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can be felt as "skipped" beats or fluttering in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger a fullness or pressure in the chest, and at other times they can make a person feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. This is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemistry. This is due to the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes like stress or excess weight.
Certain people find that a change in diet helps reduce their PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause disturbances in the heartbeat, for example disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) diazole sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get enough potassium and magnesium.
It is crucial to undergo regular health checks, which include annual physicals and laboratory tests. These tests can help diagnose any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking and adhere to the healthy eating plan. This can increase your frequency of episodes.
A survey of 14 typical hospital wards showed that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessment of conformity to these procedures was not high. Compliance improved following feedback interventions however it was still very lower on some of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures, and that wards that are less than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require further education and training for staff. It will also be important to ensure that the right materials for implementing the preventive measures are readily available.
Signs and symptoms
If you feel that your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they can be a sign of serious heart issues.
In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they usually go away by themselves. However, if you suffer from a lot of them, they may cause weakness or dizziness. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned. You might be required to provide your medical history and they might also perform a physical examination in order to determine the cause. They may also want to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.
An ECG is a simple test that lets your health care provider see the signal from your heartbeat as it moves through your heart for a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they will show in the test. the window doctor may also decide to perform an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over longer periods of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You might also carry 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. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can determine whether you are suffering from an issue such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also have to do an examination of your blood to determine what's wrong in your electrolytes, like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you suffer from PVCs or a different problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.
You may be referred to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating abnormal heart rhythms. If you have heart disease that is structural the doctor may need to perform additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can tell if you have damage to your heart, and how serious it is. In certain cases, a specialist may recommend an implanted pacemaker to treat the issue that is causing the PVCs.