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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs), are a type of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats usually aren't dangerous, and they can disappear on their own. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital indicators. They may order a Holter Monitor which captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests for checking your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in isolation or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia can be described as three or more consecutive ones. Some people do not experience any symptoms, but others experience palpitations. It can be felt as a pounding heartbeat or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being unwell. Many people with occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to diet or lifestyle. For instance restricting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They may also prescribe medications, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and conduct an examination to assess their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer periods and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. In some cases, doctors may order blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. The 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 except when they are frequent 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 older people or those suffering from any form of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It is not a major problem, but it is important to inform your doctor if symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur. Treatment For many people, sporadic PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or slurring an entire beat, you need to seek out a physician immediately. A cardiologist will interview you and conduct physical examinations and listen to your heart through the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular heartbeats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical signals of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is discovered then the use of a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the cause of them, like an electrolyte imbalance, a drug toxicity, or other factors. You might be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural issues that could cause PVCs. You could also have an exercise test to determine how your heart responds to exercise, since physical activity can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also get blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see whether they're low. This could cause PVCs. If your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose will depend on how they affect your life and the frequency they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will recommend any medication to lessen their frequency or severity. However, if you have frequent PVCs that do cause the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, such as light-headedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your physician might suggest medication like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk in lifestyle, such as abstaining from smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses. Prevention There are people who do not experience symptoms whatsoever from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may appear as “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. These episodes can create an feeling of fullness or pressure, or make you feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart isn't pumping as effectively as normal. Regular PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This includes the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. A lack of exercise can trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excessive weight. Certain people find that altering their diet may help to reduce the amount of PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance in the heartbeat, for example disodium Guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). They can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get enough magnesium and potassium. Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions that could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an appropriate diet and refrain from 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 to avoid the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessed conformity to these procedures was not high. After a feedback intervention, compliance improved on some areas, but was still very low. This suggests that training is needed on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. This information can then be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will likely require further training and education for staff. It is also necessary to ensure that the right tools for implementing the preventive measures are in place. Symptoms The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heartbeat to skip or to flutter. These arrhythmias can be harmless, but they could be a sign that you have heart issues that are serious. In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They usually disappear by themselves. However, if you suffer from many of them, they can lead to dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They might need to diagnose the issue by taking a medical history and conducting an examination. They might also need to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests. An ECG is a simple test that lets your health care provider observe the signal generated by your heartbeat moving through your heart for a short time. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor might also want to perform a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, which is a portable device that tracks your heart's rhythm over 30 days. Other tests for the heart may be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. For example an cardiologist may test your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests will determine whether you are suffering from an issue like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also be required to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine the issue with your electrolytes. For example, low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could indicate that you have PVCs or a different health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders. You might be referred to an electrophysiologist an expert who specializes in treating abnormal heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural, this specialist might 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 the damage is. In some instances an expert may recommend an implanted pacemaker to treat the issue that causes the PVCs.