Why It's Important to See a Doctor

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a kind of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are typically not harmful and will disappear on their own.

To diagnose PVC doctors listen to your heartbeat and check other vital indicators. They may order a Holter monitor which is a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over the course of 24 hours. They can also request blood tests to determine your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.

Diagnosis

PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, which is a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. 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. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the condition known as ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Some people have no symptoms, but others experience heart palpitations. It could be the sound of a beating heart or a slurred heartbeat. Other common symptoms are tiredness, dizziness or a sensation of being unwell.

Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors might suggest a change to diet or lifestyle, such as limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They may also prescribe medication like calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.

Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform an examination to determine their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for longer durations, or an electrocardiogram, which captures a picture of the electrical activity in the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in certain cases to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs.

Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign.

PVCs are quite common and don't usually 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 people who are older or those suffering from some type of heart disease. This can happen to healthy individuals with normal, normal heart. However, it's more prevalent in people who exercise regularly. It is not a major issue, but you should tell your doctor if symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur.

Treatment

PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They do not require treatment. However, for those who do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging an beat or is racing, it's crucial to see a doctor as soon as you can.

A cardiologist will first interview you and perform a physical examination by listening to your heart using the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed, which will record the electrical signals in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found it is recommended to have a 24-hour Holter monitor or other portable ECG will be required to record the irregular rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason for them, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other causes.

An echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of your heart, can be ordered to assess whether your heart is healthy and check for signs of structural problems that can lead to PVCs. You could also have a stress test to see how your heart responds to physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also have blood tests to test your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium, and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This could cause PVCs.

Once your doctor has confirmed that you're suffering from PVCs and has eliminated any serious illness, the decision of whether or not to treat them will be based on how much they're impacting your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they only occur occasionally and storm window Repair don't cause any symptoms the doctor is not likely to recommend any medication to decrease their frequency or severity.

If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that do cause palpitations and other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your physician might recommend medications for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in your lifestyle, such as abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress, can reduce the frequency of these irregular pulses.

Prevention

PVCs can cause no symptoms or storm window repair heart palpitations that can feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in your chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest. Other times they can make a person feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it normally does. Frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood.

PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical. These include the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or excess weight or an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these symptoms.

Certain people find that a change in diet helps reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can, avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, disodium Inosinate, and diazole sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium.

Regular health checks are essential, including yearly physicals. These tests can help identify any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. You should also avoid smoking and follow an appropriate diet program. This could increase the frequency of episodes.

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Signs and symptoms

The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heart to skip beats or flutter. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they could be an indication of serious heart issues.

In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem, and they generally disappear by themselves. But if you have several of them, they can lead to dizziness or weakness. If you're worried you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about them. They may need to determine the issue by taking an medical history and performing an examination. They might also need to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.

A quick ECG test lets your doctor see 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 might also suggest a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer period of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, which is a portable device that keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.

Other tests for the heart may be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These can help find the presence of a medical condition that is causing your PVCs or heart valves, such as cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.

Your doctor may also be required to run an examination of your blood to determine what is wrong with your electrolytes, for example, low potassium levels or high calcium levels. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia.

You could be directed to an electrophysiologist, one of the specialists who specialize in treating irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from structural heart disease, this specialist might need to perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart is damaged and how severe it is. In some instances, the doctor may recommend the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's creating your PVCs.