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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not hazardous, and they could go away by themselves. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vitals signs. They might order an Holter monitor, a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over the course of 24 hours. They may also order blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause a feeling like racing or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen as a single event, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the term ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, whereas others experience palpitations. It could be the sound of a beating heart or a slurred heartbeat. Other signs include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you're unwell. Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors could suggest a change in lifestyle or diet like limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. Repair My Windows And Doors can prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history, and then perform a physical examination to determine their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get a snapshot 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 look for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs. 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 common and don't usually cause any issues, unless they occur frequently over a long time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most prevalent for people over the age of 65 or those with some type of heart disease. It can also happen to healthy people with normal, normal hearts. However, it is more prevalent in people who regularly exercise. Usually, this isn't an issue that is serious however it is crucial to speak with a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment For many people, sporadic PVCs might not cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. But when you do feel their heart has skipped an beat or is racing, it's crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible. A cardiologist will first interview you and then perform a physical examination and listen to your heart through the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular beats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical impulses of your heart, allowing you to identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found it is recommended to have an all-day Holter monitor or other portable ECG is required to detect the abnormal rhythm over longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the underlying cause for them, such as an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicities, or other causes. You might be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good order and to look for structural problems which could lead to PVCs. You may also be required to undergo stress tests to assess how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also have blood tests to assess your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to find out whether they are insufficient and can cause the development of PVCs. After your doctor has determined that you have PVCs and has ruled out any serious diseases, the decision on whether or not to treat them will depend on the degree to which they're affecting your life and how often they occur. If they happen only on occasion and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to decrease the frequency or severity of them. If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that trigger the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your doctor might suggest medication, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, like cutting down on smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can also reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses. Prevention PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which may be described as “skipped beats” or flutters in your chest. These episodes can cause an feeling of pressure or fullness or they can make you feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart is not functioning as efficiently as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and unable to pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This is due to the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or weight gain and a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes. Certain people find that altering their diet can help reduce the number of PVCs. They can, for instance avoid foods that contain preservatives that can disrupt the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and veggies to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium. Regular health checks are important as are annual physicals. These tests can help diagnose any heart-related conditions that could cause your PVCs. You should also follow an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of 14 typical hospital wards showed that healthcare personnel were generally aware of preventive measures against vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessed conformity to these procedures was not high. The compliance improved following feedback interventions however it was still very low on some of the observed wards. This suggests that education on the best ways to implement preventive measures is required and that the wards which are less compliant should be targeted for infection surveillance. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely involve additional training and education for personnel. It will also be important to ensure that the correct materials for implementing the preventive measures are in place. Signs and symptoms Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heart to skip beats or flutter. These arrhythmias could be harmless, but they could indicate that you are suffering from serious heart issues. In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They generally disappear on their own. But if you have a lot of them, they could lead to dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned about them, consult your doctor about them. You might be required to provide your medical history and they may also conduct an examination to identify the issue. They might also conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests. An ECG is a simple test that will allow your doctor to observe the signal generated by your heartbeat moving through your heart for a short duration. If you have PVCs, they'll show up in the test. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, which is a portable device that keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days. Other tests for the heart may be needed, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). This can help determine the presence of a medical condition that is the cause of your PVCs or heart valves, such as mitral valve prolapse or heart failure. Your doctor may also be required to conduct a blood test to determine the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs or a different health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders. You may be directed 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 do other tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will tell you if you have damage to your heart and how serious it is. In some cases, the specialist might suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying issue causing your PVCs.