Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs), are a kind of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are usually not dangerous and can go away by themselves.
To determine PVC Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They might recommend an Holter monitor, a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over the course of 24 hours. They may also order blood tests to determine your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This delays the next heartbeat which can cause the feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can be seen as a single event or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive PVCs.
While some people don't have any symptoms Some experience palpitations, which can feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue, dizziness or a sensation of being sick.
Many people with occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change to lifestyle or diet including a reduction in caffeine, alcohol and stress. They can prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and conduct a physical exam to assess their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for longer durations or an electrocardiogram which records a snapshot of the electrical activity of the heart. In certain cases doctors may request blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
A pvc doctor might refer patients to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or malignant.
PVCs are fairly common and don't usually cause any problems, unless they happen frequently over a long time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is most common in older people or those suffering from some form of heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people with normal, normal heart. However, it's more prevalent among those who regularly exercise. Usually, this isn't an issue that is serious, but it is important to consult a doctor if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or require no treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or skipping a beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist begins by interviewing you and performing a an examination of your body, monitoring your heart using an stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified then an portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor is required to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs, and their cause which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other factors.
An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to assess whether your heart is healthy and look for any indications of structural issues that can lead to PVCs. You might also be asked to take an exercise test to determine the response of your heart to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to determine your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to find out whether they are low which could contribute to the development of PVCs.
After your doctor confirms that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the treatment you choose to take depends on how they impact your life and how often they occur. If upvc window doctor occur only occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to decrease their frequency or severity.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs that cause heart palpitations, or other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, such as abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which can be described as "skipped beats" or flutters in the chest. These episodes can create an feeling of pressure or fullness or make you feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart is not functioning as efficiently as it should. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and in a position to not pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. They can be caused by the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, in addition to drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain and the absence of exercise can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that a change in diet can 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 and diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium.
It is essential to have regular health checks, including yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 normal hospital wards found that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures for infections caused by vascular catheters, however their self-assessment of compliance to these guidelines was low. After a feedback program the compliance level improved on a few wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that education is needed on how to implement preventive measures and that wards that are less compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require additional education and training of personnel. It will also be important to ensure that the appropriate tools to implement the preventive measures are available.
Symptoms
The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heartbeat to skip or to flutter. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they can be an indication of serious heart issues.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They usually disappear on their own. If you're suffering from many of them, they may cause dizziness or weakness. If you're worried about them, consult your doctor about them. You might be required to provide a medical history, and they may also conduct an examination to diagnose the problem. They may also conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A short ECG test allows your doctor to see the heartbeat signal moving through your body over the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they'll show up in the test. Your doctor may also recommend the use of a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device that tracks your heart's rhythm over 30 days.
Other tests for the heart may be needed, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure, or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These can help find whether you suffer from a condition that may be responsible for your PVCs, such as mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also have to conduct an examination of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes, for example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, including anemia and anxiety disorders.
You could be referred to an electrophysiologist who treats abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from structural heart disease the specialist may have to do other tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can tell whether you've suffered damage to your heart and how severe it is. In some instances, the doctor may recommend an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's the cause of your PVCs.