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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats usually aren't dangerous, and they can disappear by themselves. To determine PVC Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and check other vital signs. They may order a Holter Monitor that records the electrical impulses generated by your heart over a span of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests for checking your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses coming from the heart's lower chambers, or ventricles, misfire through a structure referred to as the SA node. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed which can cause the feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in one pattern or repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs constitute ventricular tachycardia (VT). Some people do not experience any symptoms, whereas others experience palpitations. This can feel like the sound of a beating heart or a slurred heartbeat. Other common symptoms are tiredness, dizziness or a sensation of being unwell. Many people who have occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician might recommend a change in the diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine, stress, and alcohol. They can also prescribe medications like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will ask about the person's medical history and perform a physical examination to determine their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms over longer durations or an electrocardiogram which records a snapshot of the electrical activity of the heart. In some cases doctors may request blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs. A pvc doctor may refer a patient to an electrophysiologist or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This specialist can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not. PVCs are quite frequent and usually don't cause any problems unless they occur frequently over a long period of time. This can lead to a weakened in the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most common in older people, or those who have some form of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with normal heart function, but this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious issue, but you should inform your doctor if symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur. Treatment PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or slurring an entire beat, you need to consult a doctor immediately. A cardiologist will then interview you and perform an examination of your body, listening to your heart with the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular heartbeats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done to record the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified, a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to record the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs, and their cause which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other causes. You might be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is good and to look for structural issues that could cause PVCs. You could also have a stress test to check how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also take blood tests to test your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to determine whether they're insufficient. This could cause PVCs. After your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has eliminated any serious illnesses and has made a decision about how to treat them will depend on the extent to which they impact your life and how often they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to prescribe any medication that can reduce their frequency or severity. If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that do cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms like lightheadedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your doctor might recommend medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes such as cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses. Prevention PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which can feel like “skipped beats” or flutters in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest. Other times, they can make a person feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as well as it should. Regular PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart gets larger and becomes ineffective at pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemical balance. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, in addition to drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain or a lack of exercise, can trigger these symptoms. Certain people find that changing their diet can reduce the amount of PVCs. They can, for example, avoid foods that contain preservatives which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate Sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get enough magnesium. It is important to get regular health check-ups, which include annual physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions which could be causing your PVCs. You should also refrain from smoking and adhere to an appropriate diet plan. This can increase the frequency of episodes. A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 normal hospital wards showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these guidelines was poor. After a feedback intervention the compliance level improved on a few wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that education is needed on how to implement preventive measures and that wards that are less than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will most likely require further education and training for staff. It will also require making sure that the right materials are in place for the implementing of the preventive measures. Signs and symptoms If you feel that your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it could be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they could be a sign of serious heart problems. In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not a problem. They usually disappear on their own. If you have many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakness. Consult your doctor if you are concerned. They may have to identify the issue by taking an medical history and giving you an examination. They may also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the pulse of your heart moving through your body over an extremely short time. The test will show whether you have PVCs. Your doctor might also want to conduct an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer durations of time. Repair My Windows And Doors can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You might also wear a portable device that records your heart rate over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor. Other tests for the heart may be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For instance an cardiologist may test your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). This can help determine if you have a issue that could be responsible for your PVCs or heart valves, such as cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure. Your doctor may also be required to conduct a blood test to determine the problem with electrolytes. For example, low potassium or high levels of calcium. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, like anxiety disorders and anemia. You may be referred an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to conduct additional tests if you suffer from heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as 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 certain cases an expert may recommend a pacemaker to treat the issue that causes the PVCs.