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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 generally not harmful and will go away by themselves. Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They might recommend a Holter monitor, a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also request blood tests to determine your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers ventricles misfire through a structure referred to as the SA node. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed which can cause an experience of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs may occur alone, or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive ones. Some people don't experience any symptoms, others feel palpitations, which could feel like a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other signs are dizziness, fatigue or a feeling that you're unwell. Many people with occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors could suggest a change to diet or lifestyle like limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They can also prescribe medications like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will inquire about their medical history and perform an examination to determine their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time, or an electrocardiogram, which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity within the heart. In certain instances doctors may require blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. Sometimes, a pvc physician will refer someone to a specialist in heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign. PVCs are quite common and don't usually cause any problems unless they occur frequently over a long period of time. the window doctor could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common in people who are older or those with any form of heart disease. This can happen to healthy people who have a normal, normal heart. However, it is more common in those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious condition, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur. Treatment For many, occasional PVCs might not cause symptoms or need no treatment. However those who feel their heart has skipped the beat or is racing, it's vital to consult a physician as soon as possible. A cardiologist will first interview you and conduct a physical examination and listen to your heart through a stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, the use of a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to document the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will assist doctors determine if you have PVCs and the underlying cause for them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicity, or other factors. An echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to assess whether your heart is healthy and look for any indications of structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You might also be required to undergo a stress test in order to determine the response of your heart to exercise. Physical activity can increase your frequency of PVCs. You can also have blood tests to test your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This could lead to PVCs. If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the treatment option you choose is based on the impact they have on your life and the frequency they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs, which can cause pulses or other symptoms, such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your physician may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress, can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses. Prevention A person might not experience any symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can be felt as “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. These episodes can cause feelings of pressure or fullness or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not pumping as effectively as normal. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and unable to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemical balance. This includes the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. A lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes, as can stress or excessive weight. Some people find that changing their diet can help reduce PVCs. They can, for instance, avoid foods that contain preservatives which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, disodium Inosinate, and diazole Sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure that they get enough potassium and magnesium. It is crucial to undergo regular health checks, which include annual physicals and laboratory tests. They can aid in identifying any underlying heart conditions which could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow a healthy diet plan. This can increase your frequency of episodes. A survey of healthcare workers on 14 wards of a normal hospital revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures for vascular catheter-associated infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these guidelines was low. After a feedback intervention the compliance level improved on a few wards but was still low. This suggests that training on the best ways to implement preventive measures is necessary and that areas that are not as well-adjusted should be targeted for surveillance of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This could involve further training and education for personnel. It is also necessary to ensure that the right materials for implementing the preventive measures are in place. Symptoms Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heart to skip beats or to flutter. These arrhythmias could be harmless, or they could be a sign that you are suffering from serious heart issues. In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They usually disappear by themselves. But if you have many of them, they may cause dizziness or weakness. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned. You might be required to provide an medical history, and they may also conduct a physical examination in order to diagnose the problem. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests. An ECG is a quick test that lets your health care provider observe the signal generated by your heartbeat as it travels through your heart in an extremely short period of period of time. The test will determine whether you have PVCs. Your doctor may also decide to perform a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat for longer durations of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You may also wear a portable device that can record your heart rhythm over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor. Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. For example, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests can determine whether you are suffering from an issue like heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also have to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes like low potassium or high calcium levels. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, like anemia and anxiety disorders. You could be directed to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural, this specialist might need to perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In certain cases an expert may recommend an implanted pacemaker to treat the condition that causes the PVCs.