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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats usually aren't hazardous, and they could go away by themselves. Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vital indicators. They might recommend an Holter monitor which is a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over the course of 24 hours. window doctor near me Repair My Windows And Doors can also request blood tests for checking your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This delay the next heartbeat, causing the feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs may occur alone or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular tachycardia (VT). Some people do not experience any symptoms, while others experience palpitations. It could be a pounding heartbeat or a skipping heartbeat. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, or feeling unwell. A lot of people who have occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a patient has frequent episodes, a doctor might recommend a change in diet or lifestyle. For instance restricting caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They might prescribe medication such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history, and then perform an examination of the body to determine their general health. They can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may request blood tests in some instances to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body. Sometimes, a pvc physician may refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not. PVCs are fairly frequent and usually don't cause any problems, except when they are frequent over a long time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is more common in older adults or people suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious issue, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur. Treatment For many, occasional PVCs may not cause any symptoms or require no treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or skipping the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately. A cardiologist will interview you and perform an examination of your body by listening to your heart using a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed to record the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found it is recommended to have you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to detect the abnormal rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors. An echocardiogram, also known as an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to determine whether your heart is healthy and look for any signs of structural problems that can lead to PVCs. You could also have a stress test to check how your heart responds to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium and other hormones to see whether they're insufficient. This could cause PVCs. If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the decision to treat them will depend on how they affect your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will recommend any medication to decrease their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that cause the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor might suggest medication, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress, can also reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses. The following is a list of preventatives. PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, that can feel like “skipped beats” or flutterings in the chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of pressure or fullness or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. The frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart enlarges and is not able to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain and a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes. Certain people find that changing their diet can reduce the amount of PVCs. They can, for instance, avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and diazole, and disodium Inosinate Sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium. Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart conditions that may be causing your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to a healthy eating plan and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of 14 regular hospital wards showed that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures against vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessed conformity to these practices was low. After a feedback intervention, compliance improved on some wards but was still low. This suggests that training is required to implement preventive measures and that wards that are less conforming should be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This could involve additional training and education for staff. It will also mean making sure that the correct tools are available for implementing of the preventive measures. Symptoms If you feel that your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it could be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they could be an indication of serious heart problems. In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't an issue and they usually disappear by themselves. If you've got many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakening. Consult your doctor if you're concerned. You might be required to provide a medical history, and they may also conduct a physical examination in order to identify the issue. They may also want to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests. A short ECG test lets your doctor see the heartbeat signal moving through your body over the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they'll show up on the test. Your doctor may also suggest to do an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat over longer periods of time. These can help differentiate PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You might also be wearing a device that can record your heart rate over 30 days, called an event monitor. Other heart tests may be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure, or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can tell whether you have a condition like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also need to perform 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 can cause them, like anemia and anxiety disorders. You could be directed to an electrophysiologist, an expert who specializes in treating irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural the doctor may need to do other tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe it is. In certain cases, a specialist might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's the cause of your PVCs.