Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and can be cured by themselves.
To determine PVC Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital signs. They might recommend an Holter monitor which records your heart's electrical impulses over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They might also order blood tests to assess your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This delays the next heartbeat which can cause a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can be seen as a single event or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive ones.
Some people do not experience any symptoms, whereas others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like a pounding heartbeat or a slurred heartbeat. Other signs include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you're unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient has frequent episodes, a doctor might suggest a change in the diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They may also prescribe medication such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform an examination to assess their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to take an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. In certain instances doctors may request blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.
A pvc physician may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs are frequent and usually don't cause any problems unless they occur frequently over 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 adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also happen to healthy individuals with a normal, normal heart. However, it is more prevalent among those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't a serious concern, but it is important to speak with your doctor if you experience symptoms like fainting or fatigue.
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 slurring a beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will then interview you and perform an examination of your body and listen to your heart through the stethoscope in order to detect any irregular heartbeats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram that captures the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been detected, the use of a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to document the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the underlying cause for them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicities, or other causes.
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 which could lead to PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to check how your heart responds to physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also take blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see whether they're low. This can lead to PVCs.
If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the decision to treat them depends on how they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will prescribe any medication to lessen their frequency or severity.
If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that do cause palpitations and other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're about to faint, your doctor may suggest medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, like abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress, can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
A person may experience no symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can feel like "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger a fullness or pressure in the chest. Other occasions, they may cause a person to feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. Regular PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart enlarges and becomes ineffective at pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical chemistry. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones and alcohol consumption or caffeine. Stress or excess weight or an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these episodes.
Some people can find that a change in diet helps reduce their PVCs. They can, for example, avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium Guanylate, diazole, and disodium Inosinate sodium (E282-283). You can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get enough magnesium and potassium.
It is important to get regular health checks, including annual physicals and laboratory tests. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions that could cause your PVCs. Also, you should not smoke and adhere to a healthy diet plan. This could increase the frequency of episodes.
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Signs and symptoms
If you feel your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it may be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they could be the sign of heart issues.
In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They usually disappear on their own. But if you have many of them, they could cause weakness or dizziness. If you're concerned about them, consult your doctor about them. They may need to determine the issue by taking a medical history and performing a physical exam. They may also do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
An ECG is a quick test that will allow your doctor to detect the signal of your heartbeat moving through your heart in a short duration. The test will show if you have PVCs. Your doctor might also suggest a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer period of time. These tests can help distinguish PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a handheld device that keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.
Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the reason behind your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure or conduct an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests will determine whether you have an issue like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also be required to perform tests on your blood to identify the problem with electrolytes. For example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you suffer from PVCs or a different condition such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You could be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who is able to treat abnormal heart rhythms. The doctor may be required to conduct additional tests if you are suffering from heart conditions that cause structural damage like a CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine if you have damage to your heart, and how serious it is. In certain cases an expert may recommend a pacemaker to treat the condition that causes the PVCs.