Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. Repair My Windows And Doors are typically not dangerous and can disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vital indicators. They may order a Holter monitor, a device that records your heart's electrical impulses over 24-48 hours. They can also order blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers ventricles misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause a feeling like racing or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive ones.
Some people do not experience any symptoms, whereas others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like a pounding heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. Other signs are dizziness, fatigue or feeling unwell.
Many people with occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to the diet or lifestyle. For example, limiting caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They can also prescribe medications like calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform an examination to check on 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 certain cases, doctors may order blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.
Sometimes, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. The doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are frequent and usually don't cause any problems except when they are frequent over a long period of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common for people over the age of 65, or those who have some type of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. It is not a major issue, but you should tell your doctor if symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They do not require treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or not making the beat, it's best to see a doctor right away.
A cardiologist begins by conducting an interview and then perform a an examination of your body, listening to your heart with an stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed to record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been detected, an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you have PVCs and their causes which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other causes.
An echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to determine if your heart is healthy and check for signs of structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You might also have a stress test to see how your heart responds to exercise, since physical exercise can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to assess your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to determine whether they are insufficient, which can contribute to the development of PVCs.
After your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs and has eliminated any serious diseases and has made a decision about whether or not to treat them will depend on the degree to which they're affecting your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will suggest any medication to lessen the frequency or severity of them.
However, if you have frequent PVCs that do cause palpitations and other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your physician may suggest medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to avoid triggers, such as caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can also help lower the number of instances of these unusual pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, that can be described as "skipped beats" or flutterings in the chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. Frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart expands and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemical balance. These include the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. Lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes like stress or excessive weight.
Some people have found that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they are getting enough potassium and magnesium.
It is essential to have regular health checks, including annual physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any heart issues that could cause your PVCs. You should also follow an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
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Symptoms
If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be normal, or they could indicate you have heart issues that are serious.
In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They generally disappear by themselves. If you have many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakness. Talk to your doctor if worried. They may need to determine the problem by taking an medical history and performing an examination. They may also do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A quick ECG test allows your doctor to see the signal of your heartbeat going through your body over a an extremely short time. The test will show whether you have PVCs. Your doctor might also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer period of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You may also be wearing a device that can record your heart rhythm over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor.
Other tests for the heart may be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For instance a cardiologist could check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine if you suffer from an illness such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also be required to run an analysis of your blood to determine what's wrong with your electrolytes for example, low potassium levels or high calcium levels. This could be a sign that you suffer from PVCs, or another health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You may be directed to an electrophysiologist, one of the specialists who specialize in treating irregular heart rhythms. The specialist might need to perform other tests if you are suffering from heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will determine if your heart is damaged and how severe it is. In some instances, a specialist may recommend a pacemaker to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs.