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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats usually aren't hazardous, and they could disappear by themselves. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and check other vital signs. They might order an Holter monitor which is a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over the course of 24 hours. They may also request blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, which is a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause the sensation of racing or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia can be described as three or more consecutive PVCs. Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, but others experience heart palpitations. It could be a pounding heartbeat or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms are dizziness, fatigue or feeling unwell. Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient has frequent episodes, a physician might recommend a change in diet or lifestyle. For example, limiting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They might prescribe beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Doctors will inquire about the patient's medical history and conduct a physical exam to assess their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms over a longer period of time, or an electrocardiogram, which records a snapshot of the electrical activity of the heart. In some cases doctors may request blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. Sometimes, a pvc physician will refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm problems or an electrophysiologist to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not. PVCs can be found everywhere and are not usually harmful unless they are used regularly or for a long period of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more prevalent in older people or people suffering from heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with a normal heart, although it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue to worry about but it's important to speak with your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs aren't harmful or cause symptoms in a lot of people. They do not require treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or slurring the beat, it's best to see a doctor right away. the window doctor will then interview you and perform a physical examination, listening to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical signals of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified then you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be required to capture the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason behind them, such as an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicities, or other causes. You may be requested 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 may also undergo an exercise test to determine how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You may also undergo blood tests to check your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to find out whether they are insufficient, which can contribute to the development of PVCs. After your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled any serious diseases 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 do not cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to prescribe any medication that can reduce their frequency or severity. However, if you have frequent PVCs that do cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as feeling lightheaded or like you're about to faint, your physician might recommend medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can aid in reducing the frequency of times you experience these abnormal pulses. Prevention A person may experience no symptoms at all from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can be felt as “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. These episodes can create a feeling of pressure or fullness or they can make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not pumping as effectively as normal. Regular PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart gets larger and becomes ineffective at pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemistry. These include the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, in addition to drinking caffeine or alcohol. Lack of exercise can trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excessive weight. Certain people find that changing their diet can reduce PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). They can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they are getting enough potassium and magnesium. Regular health checks are essential, including yearly physicals. These tests can help diagnose any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow the healthy eating plan. This can increase your frequency of episodes. A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 normal hospital wards showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat vascular catheter-associated infections However, their self-assessed compliance with these practices was poor. Compliance improved following a feedback intervention however it was still very low on a few of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that education on the best ways to implement preventive measures is required and that wards which are less compliant should be targeted for infection surveillance. This information can then be used to guide the implementation of additional quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This could involve more training and education for personnel. It will also require making sure that the appropriate tools are available for implementing of the preventive measures. Signs and symptoms If you feel like your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. the window doctor 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 on their own. But if you have several of them, they can lead to dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about them. You might need to provide a medical history, and they might also perform an examination to identify the issue. They'll also probably want to do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. An ECG is a simple test that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat as it travels through your heart in a short duration. The test will reveal if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat for a longer period of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You might also be wearing a device that records your heart rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor. Other heart tests may be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist may check your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests will determine whether you have an illness like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor might also need to do an examination of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes like low potassium or high calcium levels. This could be a sign that you suffer from PVCs, or another health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders. You may be referred to an electrophysiologist one of the specialists who specialize in treating irregular heart rhythms. The specialist might need to perform other tests if you have heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether you've damaged your heart and how severe it is. In certain cases, a doctor might recommend the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying issue the cause of your PVCs.