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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and may disappear on their own. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vitals indicators. They might recommend a Holter monitor, a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also request blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers, or ventricles, misfire through a structure referred to as the SA node. This delay the next heartbeat which can cause an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs may occur alone, or in repeated patterns. Doublets are PVCs that occur in a series of. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive ones. Some people do not experience any symptoms, while others experience palpitations. It can be felt as an unsteady heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being sick. Many people who have occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change to diet or lifestyle including a reduction in alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may prescribe medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Doctors will inquire about the patient's medical history and do a physical exam to determine their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor, which is worn for longer time periods and captures the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may order blood tests in some cases to look for imbalances in electrolytes or drug toxicity. Sometimes, a pvc physician may refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign. PVCs can be found everywhere 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. This is most prevalent for people over the age of 65, or those who have any form of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It is not a major issue, but you should tell your doctor if symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur. Treatment For many people, sporadic PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or are harmless and need no treatment. But, for those who do feel their heart has skipped the beat or is racing, it's vital to see a doctor as soon as you can. A cardiologist will interview you and perform physical examinations, listening to your heart through the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram, which captures the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG is required to record the irregular rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices can assist doctors determine whether you have PVCs and their causes like an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other factors. You may be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine the health of your heart is good and to look for structural problems which could lead to PVCs. You may also be asked to undergo a stress test in order to determine how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also take blood tests to test your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This can lead to 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 how often they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will suggest any medication to reduce their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that can trigger pulses or other symptoms, like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, like abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also decrease the frequency of these irregular pulses. The following is a list of preventatives. There are people who do not experience symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may feel like “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. These episodes can trigger an feeling of fullness or pressure, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. Regular PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition in which the heart expands and is unable to pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemistry. These include the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, as well as drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain and a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes. Some people can find that a change in diet helps reduce their PVCs. They can, for example, avoid foods that contain preservatives which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate Sodium (E282-283). They can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they're getting enough potassium and magnesium. It is essential to have regular health checks, including annual physicals and lab tests. These tests can help you identify any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of 14 typical hospital wards found that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid infections caused by vascular catheters, however their self-assessment of conformity to these procedures was not high. Compliance improved after feedback interventions however, it was still low on some of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that training is needed on how to implement preventive measures and that wards that are less compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This could involve more training and education for staff. It will also be important to ensure that the right materials for implementing the preventive measures are in place. Signs and symptoms If you feel that your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it may be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they could be a sign of serious heart problems. In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They generally disappear by themselves. But if you have several of them, they could cause weakness or dizziness. If you're concerned you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. You might need to provide your medical history and they might also perform an examination to diagnose the problem. They'll likely also need to do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. A quick ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the pulse of your heart moving through your body over an extremely short time. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible in the test. Your doctor might also want to perform a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat over longer periods of time. glass doctor can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device that records your heart rhythm for 30 days. Other tests for the heart may be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For example, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can determine whether you are suffering from an illness such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also need to run a blood test to determine the issue with electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, like anemia and anxiety disorders. You could be referred to an electrophysiologist who treats abnormal heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to perform other tests if you have heart problems that are structural like the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart is damaged and how severe it is. In some instances, a specialist may recommend a pacemaker to treat the condition that is causing the PVCs.