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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 dangerous, and they can disappear by themselves. Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vitals signs. They may order a Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also request blood tests to check your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses from the heart's lower chambers, or ventricles, misfire through a structure referred to as the SA node. 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 is three or more consecutive ones. While some people don't have any symptoms Some experience palpitations, that can be felt as an irregular heartbeat or a pounding. Other common symptoms are tiredness and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being sick. Many people who have occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors could suggest a change in the way of life or diet like limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They may also prescribe medication such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will inquire about the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam to assess their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time, or an electrocardiogram, which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity within the heart. Doctors may request blood tests in some cases to check for electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity. Sometimes, a pvc physician may refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. The doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant. PVCs are fairly common and rarely cause any problems, unless they occur frequently over a long time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older adults or people suffering from heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It's not an issue to worry about, but it is important to tell your doctor if you experience symptoms like fainting or fatigue. Treatment For many people, sporadic PVCs might not cause symptoms or are harmless and need no treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or not making an entire beat, you need to consult a doctor immediately. A cardiologist will begin by interviewing you and performing a physical examination, and monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for 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 found, an all-day Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be needed to record the abnormal rhythm over 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 or drug toxicity, or other factors. You may be required 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 lead to PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to check how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical activity can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine whether they're low. This could lead to PVCs. If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose depends on how they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause any symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to recommend any treatment that can reduce their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that do cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms like lightheadedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your physician might recommend medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Making changes to your lifestyle in order to stay clear of triggers, such as caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can also help lower the number of instances of these abnormal pulses. The following is a list of preventatives. There are people who do not experience symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can feel like “skipped” beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of pressure or fullness or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as well as it should. Frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition wherein the heart enlarges and is unable to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This includes the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes, as can stress or excessive weight. Some people have found that a change in diet helps reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives which can disrupt the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate sodium (E282-283). You can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get sufficient magnesium and potassium. Regular health checks are essential and include annual physicals. These tests can help diagnose any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow the healthy eating program. This can increase the frequency of 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 guidelines was low. After a feedback intervention, compliance improved on some areas, but was still very low. This suggests that training is required to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. It is likely that this will require further education and training for staff. It will also require making sure that the correct materials are available for the implementing of the preventive measures. Symptoms The premature contraction of the ventricular muscle can cause your heart to skip beats or be fluttering. These arrhythmias can be normal, or they could be a sign that you are suffering from serious heart issues. In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not a problem. They usually disappear by themselves. However, if you suffer from many of them, they can lead to dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if worried. They might need to diagnose the issue by taking an history of your medical condition and conducting a physical exam. They'll likely also need to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. An ECG is a simple test that lets your health care provider see the signal from your heartbeat moving through your heart in a short duration. The test will reveal whether you have PVCs. Your doctor might also want to do an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer durations of time. These can help differentiate PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days. Other tests for the heart may be required, based on the reason behind your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). Highly recommended Web-site can help find whether you suffer from a issue that could be causing your PVCs or heart valves, such as mitral valve prolapse, cardiomyopathy or heart failure. Your doctor might also need to do a blood test to see what the problem is in your electrolytes, such as low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, such as anxiety disorders and anemia. You may be referred a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to conduct additional tests if you suffer from structural heart diseases like an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will help determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances, the doctor might recommend the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying issue the cause of your PVCs.