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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not harmful and will be cured by themselves. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital indicators. They might recommend a Holter monitor, a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over 24-48 hours. They may also order 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 located in the lower chambers of the heart. This delays the next heartbeat, causing an experience of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can occur in isolation, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the term ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Some people don't experience any symptoms Some experience palpitations, that can be felt as the heart beating faster or slower. Other common symptoms are tiredness and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being sick. Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a doctor might recommend a change in diet or lifestyle. For example, limiting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They may prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and conduct a physical exam to check their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time, or an electrocardiogram, which records a snapshot of the electrical activity within the heart. Doctors may request blood tests in certain cases to look for imbalances in electrolytes or toxic effects of drugs. A pvc doctor might refer patients to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign. PVCs are frequent and usually don't cause any issues, unless they occur frequently over a long time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition referred to 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 an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It's not an issue that is serious, but it is important to tell an expert if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs aren't harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They do not require treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or slurring a beat, it's best to consult a doctor immediately. A cardiologist will interview you and then perform a physical examination by listening to your heart using the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular beats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed that records the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor is required to capture the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason behind them, like an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicity, or other factors. You might be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine the health of your heart is in good order and to look for structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You might also have a stress test to see how your heart reacts to exercise, since physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You may also undergo blood tests to determine your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to find out if they are too low and can cause the development of PVCs. After your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has eliminated any serious illnesses and has made a decision about how to treat them will depend on the extent to which they impact your life and how often they occur. If they happen only infrequently and don't cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that cause palpitations or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your doctor may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Making changes to your lifestyle in order to avoid triggers, like smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can also aid in reducing the frequency of times you experience these unusual pulses. The following is a list of preventatives. There are people who do not experience symptoms at all from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may feel like “skipped” beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest, and at other times, they can make someone feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it normally does. The frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition in which the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemistry. These include the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, in addition to drinking caffeine or alcohol. Inactivity can also trigger these episodes like stress or excessive weight. Certain people find that changing their diet can help reduce the number of PVCs. They can, for instance, avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get enough magnesium. It is essential to have regular health checks, including annual physicals and lab tests. the window doctor can help you identify any heart conditions that may be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of healthcare workers on 14 normal hospital wards showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat infections caused by vascular catheters However, their self-assessed compliance with these practices was not great. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training on how to implement the preventive measures is essential, and that those 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 for these wards. This will likely require additional education and training of staff. It will also be necessary to ensure that the correct materials for implementing the preventive measures are available. Symptoms The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they may be a sign of serious heart problems. In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They typically disappear on their own. However, if you suffer from many of them, they may lead to dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about them. They may need to determine the problem by taking a medical history and conducting a physical exam. They may also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. An ECG is a test that's quick that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat as it moves through your heart for the course of a brief time. If you have PVCs, they'll show up on the test. Your doctor may also suggest a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer period of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause 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 needed, depending on the reason for your PVCs. For example a cardiologist could check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can determine whether you are suffering from a condition such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also be required to run an examination of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes such as low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could indicate that you have PVCs or another condition such as anemia or anxiety disorders. You may be referred to an electrophysiologist a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. If you suffer from structural heart disease the specialist may have to conduct additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine if your heart is damaged and how severe it is. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's causing your PVCs.