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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not dangerous, and they can go away on their own. To determine PVC doctors listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital indicators. They may order an Holter Monitor, which records the electrical impulses generated by your heart over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to check your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs occur when electrical impulses coming from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure known as the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, causing the sensation of fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs may occur alone or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia can be described as three or more consecutive PVCs. While some people don't show any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations which can feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other typical symptoms include fatigue or dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell. the window doctor who suffer from occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to diet or lifestyle. For instance the restriction of caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They might prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and perform an examination of the body to determine their general health. They can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get an image of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer time periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. In some cases doctors may require blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. A pvc doctor may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not. PVCs are quite frequent and usually don't cause any problems unless they occur frequently over a long period of time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is most prevalent in people who are older or those suffering from any form of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious issue, but you should inform your doctor if symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur. Treatment For many, occasional PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or not making a beat, it's best to see a doctor right away. A cardiologist will first interview you and perform physical examinations by listening to your heart with the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular heartbeats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected it is recommended to use a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to capture the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs, and their cause, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other factors. You may be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural problems which could lead to PVCs. You could also be asked to undergo stress tests to determine how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase your frequency of pvcs. You can also get blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine whether they're insufficient. This could cause PVCs. After your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has eliminated any serious diseases, the decision on whether or not to treat them will be contingent on the extent to which they impact 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 lessen their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that cause palpitations or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes like abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses. The following is a list of preventatives. PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which can be described as “skipped beats” or flutters in your chest. These episodes can trigger feelings of pressure or fullness, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. Regular PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart enlarges and is unable to pump blood. PVCs often are caused by changes in the body's chemical balance. This includes the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, in addition to drinking alcohol or caffeine. Lack of exercise can trigger these symptoms, as can stress or excess weight. Certain people find that altering their diet may help to reduce the number of PVCs. They can, for example, avoid foods that contain preservatives that could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate Sodium (E282-283). They can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting enough potassium and magnesium. Regular health checks are essential and include annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart conditions that may be causing your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of 14 normal hospital wards showed that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures against the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessment of compliance to these procedures was not high. After a feedback intervention that improved compliance on certain areas, but was still very low. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less than compliant should be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely involve additional education and training for staff. It will also involve making sure that the right materials are in place for the implementation of preventive measures. Symptoms If you feel that your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it may be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be harmless, but they could indicate you have heart issues that are serious. In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't an issue and they generally disappear on their own. However, if you suffer from a lot of them, they could cause dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. You might be required to provide a medical history, and they may also conduct a physical examination in order to determine the cause. They'll likely also need to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. An ECG is a simple test that allows your health care provider observe the signal generated by your heartbeat moving through your heart in a short duration. The test will determine whether you have PVCs. Your doctor may also suggest to conduct a 24- or 48-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 can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device that records your heart rhythm for 30 days. Other heart tests may be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). This can help determine if you have a issue that could be the cause of your PVCs, such as cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure. Your doctor may also be required to run a blood test to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you suffer from PVCs, or another health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders. You could be referred to an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to conduct other tests if you are suffering from structural heart diseases, such as an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will determine if your heart is damaged and the severity of the damage. In some instances, the specialist might recommend the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is the cause of your PVCs.