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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are usually not dangerous, and they can go away on their own. To diagnose PVC Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and look for other vital signs. They might order a Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also order blood tests for checking your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to delay, which can cause the sensation of the heart is fluttering or skips beats. PVCs can occur in isolation, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the condition known as ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Some people have no symptoms, while others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like a pounding heartbeat or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue or dizziness, or a feeling of being sick. Many people with occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a doctor might suggest a change in diet or lifestyle. For instance restricting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They can also prescribe medications, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will inquire about their medical history and conduct a physical examination to assess their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer durations and records the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may request blood tests in some instances to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs. Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist in heart rhythm issues, 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 quite common and rarely cause any issues, except when they are frequent over a long time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more prevalent in older adults or those with heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious problem, but it is important to consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur. Treatment For many, occasional PVCs might not cause symptoms or are harmless and need no treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or skipping the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately. A cardiologist will interview you and then perform physical examinations by listening to your heart with an stethoscope to identify any irregular heartbeats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done to record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified, the use of a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to capture the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other factors. An echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of your heart, may be ordered to determine if your heart is healthy and to look for indications of structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You may also undergo an exercise test to determine how your heart reacts to physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to assess your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to find out whether they are low and can cause the formation of PVCs. After your doctor confirms that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness 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 don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will prescribe any medication to reduce their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that trigger the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your physician might recommend medications for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, like cutting down on smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses. Prevention PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which can feel like “skipped beats” or flutterings in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest, and other times, they can make someone feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart isn't pumping as efficiently as it normally does. The frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition in which the heart gets larger and is not able to pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemical chemistry. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well as drinking caffeine or alcohol. A lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes, as can stress or excess weight. Certain people find that a change in their diet can reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause disturbances in the heartbeat, for example disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). They can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get enough potassium and magnesium. Regular health checks are important, including yearly physicals. They can aid in identifying any underlying heart conditions which could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow the healthy eating program. 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 infections caused by vascular catheters However, their self-assessed compliance with these guidelines was poor. After a feedback intervention, compliance improved on some wards but was still low. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures, and that wards that are less compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will most likely require more education and training for staff. It will also involve making sure that the appropriate materials are in place for the implementation of the preventive measures. Signs and symptoms If you feel like your heart is racing or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be normal, or they could indicate that you are suffering from serious heart issues. In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They generally disappear on their own. If you've got a lot of them, they can cause dizziness or weakening. If you're concerned about them, consult your doctor about them. You might be required to provide a medical history, and they may also conduct an examination to identify the issue. They might also need to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests. A quick ECG test lets your doctor see the pulse of your heart moving through your body for a the course of a brief period. The test will determine if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. Repair My Windows And Doors could also carry a device that records your heart rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor. Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For instance, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests can tell if you suffer from an illness such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also be required to conduct an examination of your blood to determine what is wrong with your electrolytes such as low potassium or high calcium levels. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, such as anxiety disorders and anemia. You could be referred to an electrophysiologist one of the specialists who specialize in treating abnormal heart rhythms. This specialist may need to conduct other tests if you are suffering from heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can tell whether you've suffered damage to your heart and how severe it is. In some instances doctors may suggest a pacemaker to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs.