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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are typically not dangerous and may disappear on their own. Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and look for other vital indicators. They may order an Holter monitor which is a device that records your heart's electrical impulses over 24-48 hours. They can also request blood tests for checking your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed and causes a feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets, while three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the condition known as ventricular tachycardia (VT). Some people don't experience any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations which can feel like a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other common symptoms are tiredness or dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell. Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician might suggest a change in the diet or lifestyle. For example the restriction of caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They can prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and perform a physical examination to check their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture an image of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer durations and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may request blood tests in certain cases to look for imbalances in electrolytes or toxic substances in the body. A pvc doctor may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant. PVCs are fairly common and don't usually cause any problems unless they occur frequently over a long time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also happen to healthy individuals with normal, normal heart. However, it's more common in those who exercise regularly. It's not an issue to worry about however it is crucial to speak with your doctor if you experience symptoms like fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs aren't harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They do not require treatment. But, for those who do feel your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it's vital to speak to a doctor immediately. A cardiologist will first interview you and perform an examination of your body, listening to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed that records the electrical impulses in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified it is recommended to have a 24-hour Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to detect the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs and their causes, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other causes. You may be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is good and to look for structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You could also be required to undergo stress tests to find out how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also take blood tests to test your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine whether they're low. This could cause PVCs. After your doctor has determined that you have PVCs and has ruled out any serious illnesses, 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 happen only infrequently and don't cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication that will decrease their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that cause palpitations or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor might prescribe medications like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can also reduce the frequency of times you experience these abnormal pulses. Prevention A person may experience no symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that may appear as “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest, and at other occasions, they may cause a person to feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it normally does. Regular PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical. These include the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, in addition to drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain and the absence of exercise can trigger these episodes. Certain people find that altering their diet can help reduce PVCs. They can, for instance, avoid foods that contain preservatives which could cause disturbances to the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, disodium Inosinate, and diazole sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get enough magnesium and potassium. Regular health checks are important, including yearly physicals. These tests can help identify any underlying heart conditions that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to avoid smoking and follow an appropriate diet program. This can increase your frequency of episodes. A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 wards of a normal hospital showed that they were generally aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat vascular catheter-related infections However, their self-assessed compliance with these measures was not great. Compliance improved after a feedback intervention however it was still very low on a few of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that training is required to implement preventive measures, and that wards that are less than compliant should be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This could involve more training and education for staff. It will also require making sure that the right materials are available for the implementing of the preventive measures. Signs and symptoms Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or to flutter. These arrhythmias may be harmless, or they could be a sign that you have serious heart problems. In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they generally disappear by themselves. But if you have a lot of them, they may cause weakness or dizziness. If you're worried, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. You might be required to provide an medical history, and they might also perform a physical examination in order to determine the cause. They might also need to conduct an electrocardiogram, 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 an extremely short period of duration. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible on the test. Your doctor might also suggest a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You might also wear a portable device that can record your heart rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor. Other tests for the heart may be needed, depending on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure, or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can reveal the presence of a medical condition that is causing your PVCs like mitral valve prolapse or heart failure. Your doctor may also have to conduct a blood test to see what the problem is with your electrolytes, such as low potassium or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that can cause them, such as anemia and anxiety disorders. You could be referred to an electrophysiologist who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. The specialist might need to conduct additional tests if you have heart problems that are structural, such as a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will help determine if your heart is damaged and how severe it is. In some instances, the doctor may suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is the cause of your PVCs.