Why It's Important to See a
door doctorPremature ventricular contracts (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and can disappear on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vital indicators. They may also order a Holter Monitor that records the electrical impulses of your heart over a time of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to determine the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs occur when electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles misfire through a structure referred to as the SA node. This delay the next heartbeat, causing an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can be seen in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the condition known as ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, while others experience heart palpitations. It can be felt as the sound of a beating heart or a rapid heartbeat. Other common symptoms are tiredness, dizziness or a sensation of being sick.
Many people with occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician might recommend a change in diet or lifestyle. For instance, limiting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They can prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about the medical history of the patient and perform a physical examination to determine their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture an image of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor, which is worn for longer periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. In some cases doctors may request blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
Occasionally, a
pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not.
PVCs are all over the place and are not usually harmful when used frequently or for a long period of time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common for people over the age of 65 or those suffering from 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. Usually, this isn't a serious concern however it is crucial to tell your
bifold doctor if you experience symptoms like fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
For many, occasional PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. But when you do feel your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it's important to consult a physician as soon as possible.
A cardiologist will begin by interviewing you and performing a an examination of your body, listening to your heart with the stethoscope to look for irregular heartbeats. You'll also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical signals of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found then a 24-hour Holter monitor or other portable ECG will be required to record the irregular rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices will assist doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason behind them, such as an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicities, or any other cause.
You may be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good order and to look for structural issues that could cause PVCs. You might also be required to undergo an exercise test to assess the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of PVCs. You may also undergo blood tests to check your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to find out whether they are insufficient, which can contribute to the formation of PVCs.
After your doctor has determined that you're suffering from PVCs and has eliminated any serious illness and has made a decision about how to treat them will depend on how much they're impacting your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your
bifold doctor will prescribe any medication to decrease the frequency or severity of them.
If you have frequent PVCs, which can cause pulses or other symptoms, like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and 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 abnormal pulses.
Prevention
A person might not experience any symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can be felt as "skipped" beats or fluttering in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest. Other times they can cause a person to feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart isn't pumping as efficiently as it normally does. PVCs are associated with an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and in a position to not pump blood.
PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemical balance. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking alcohol or caffeine. Lack of exercise can trigger these episodes, as can stress or excessive weight.
Certain people find that changing their diet may help to reduce PVCs. They can, for instance avoid foods that contain preservatives which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium.
It is essential to have regular health checks, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. They can aid in identifying any heart-related conditions that could be the cause of your PVCs. You should also follow an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes.
A survey of 14 regular hospital wards found that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessed conformity to these practices was low. After a feedback program, compliance improved on some wards but was still low. This suggests that education is required to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are less than compliant should be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can then be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will likely involve additional training and education for staff. It is also necessary to ensure that the correct tools for implementing the preventive measures are available.
Symptoms
If you feel like your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it could be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can 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. If you have many of them, it could cause dizziness or weakening. Talk to your
bifold doctor if you are concerned. You might need to provide an medical history, and they may also conduct a physical examination in order to diagnose the problem. They might also need to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.