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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not risky, and they may disappear by themselves. To determine PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital indicators. They may order a Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses generated by your heart over a period of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also request blood tests for checking your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. glass doctor causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the term ventricular tachycardia (VT). Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, but others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like an unsteady heartbeat or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling that you're unwell. Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors might suggest a change in lifestyle or diet, such as limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They can also prescribe medications, such as beta-blockers and 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 can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer time periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. In certain instances doctors may request blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs. 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 if they are malignant or benign. PVCs are common and rarely cause any issues, except when they are frequent over a long period of time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more prevalent in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also happen to healthy people with normal, normal heart. However, it's more common in those who regularly exercise. It's not a serious issue, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur. Treatment PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. However when you do feel your heart is lagging an beat or is racing, it's important to consult a physician as soon as you can. A cardiologist begins by interviewing you and performing a physical examination, and listening to your heart with a stethoscope for any irregular heartbeats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found then an all-day Holter monitor or another portable ECG is required to record the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the underlying cause for them, like an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicities, or any other cause. You might be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine the health of your heart is in good shape and to check for structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You might also be asked to take an exercise test to assess how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to assess your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to determine whether they are insufficient, which can contribute to the development of PVCs. Once your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs and has eliminated any serious diseases, the decision of whether to treat them will be contingent on the degree to which they're affecting your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms the doctor is not likely to recommend any medication that can reduce their frequency or severity. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs that cause heart palpitations, or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can also reduce the frequency of times you experience these unusual pulses. Prevention There are people who do not experience symptoms at all from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can appear as “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of pressure or fullness, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart isn't pumping as efficiently as it normally does. PVCs are linked to an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and in a position to not pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical. This is due to the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Inactivity can trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excessive weight. Some people find that changing their diet may help to reduce 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 veggies to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium. Regular health checks are essential as are annual physicals. These tests can help you identify any heart-related conditions that could cause your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an eat-healthy diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of healthcare staff on 14 wards of a normal hospital showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infections However, their self-assessed compliance with these guidelines was not great. After a feedback intervention the compliance level improved on a few wards but was still low. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures, and that wards that are less than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. This information could be used to guide the implementation of further quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This could involve further training and education for personnel. It will also require making sure that the appropriate materials are available for the implementation of preventive measures. Symptoms If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it may be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they can be a sign of serious heart problems. In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they generally disappear on their own. If you're suffering from several of them, they can cause dizziness or weakness. If you're worried, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They may have to identify the problem by taking an history of your medical condition and giving you 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 allows your health care provider see the signal from your heartbeat as it travels through your heart over the course of a brief time. The test will determine if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also suggest to perform a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These can help differentiate PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, which is a portable device which records your heart rhythm for 30 days. Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can determine if you suffer from an issue like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also be required to run a blood test to see what is wrong in your electrolytes, like low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, such as anemia and anxiety disorders. You could be directed to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural the specialist may have to do other tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will tell you whether you've suffered damage to your heart, and how serious it is. In some cases, the specialist might recommend an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's creating your PVCs.