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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are typically not harmful and will go away by themselves. To diagnose PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital indicators. They may order an Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a time of 24 to 48 hours. They may also order blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, which is a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This delay the next heartbeat, causing a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can be seen as a single event, or in 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, whereas others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like the sound of a beating heart or a skipping heartbeat. Other typical symptoms include fatigue, dizziness or a sensation of being sick. Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors may recommend a change in lifestyle or diet, such as limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They may also prescribe medication, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and perform an examination to assess their general health. They may also use a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time or an electrocardiogram which captures a picture of the electrical activity within the heart. Doctors may request blood tests in some instances to check for electrolyte imbalances or drug toxicity. Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm problems or an electrophysiologist to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign. PVCs can be found everywhere and are generally not harmful unless they are used frequently or for long periods of time. This can lead to a weakened in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is more prevalent in older people or those suffering from heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious condition, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue occur. Treatment PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or slurring a beat, it's best to consult a doctor immediately. A cardiologist will first interview you and conduct an examination of your body and listen to your heart with an stethoscope to identify any irregular beats. You will also have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed, which will record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified it is recommended to use an portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to document the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason for them, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other factors. You may be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good order and to look for structural issues which could lead to PVCs. You could also have a stress test to see how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to determine your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to find out whether they are insufficient which could contribute to the formation of PVCs. After your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose depends on how they impact your life and how often they occur. If they happen only on occasion and don't trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will suggest any medication to decrease the frequency or severity of them. If you have frequent PVCs that cause pulses or other symptoms, such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your physician 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 unusual pulses. The following is a list of preventatives. There are people who do not experience symptoms at all from PVCs or experience heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) which can feel like “skipped” beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest. Other times they can make someone feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and unable to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemistry. These include the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain or a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes. Some people find that changing their diet may help to reduce PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause a disturbance in the heartbeat, for example disodium Guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) diazole sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure that they get sufficient magnesium and potassium. It is important to get regular health check-ups, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These tests can help identify any heart issues that could cause your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow the healthy eating plan. This can increase the frequency of episodes. A survey of healthcare workers 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, but that their self-assessed compliance with these guidelines was low. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain areas, but was still very low. This suggests that education is required to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can be used to guide the implementation of additional quality improvement initiatives on these wards. www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk will likely require additional education and training of personnel. It will also involve making sure that the right materials are available for the implementation of the preventive measures. Signs and symptoms If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it may be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless, or they could indicate that you are suffering from serious heart issues. In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not a problem. They typically disappear by themselves. But if you have a lot of them, they can cause weakness or dizziness. Talk to your doctor if you're worried. You might be required to provide a medical history, and they may also conduct an examination of the body to identify the issue. They might also conduct an electrocardiogram, or other tests. A quick ECG test lets your doctor see the pulse of your heart going through your body over a the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible in the test. Your doctor might also suggest the use of a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer period of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a portable device which tracks your heart's rhythm over 30 days. Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For example a cardiologist could check your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). This can help determine whether you suffer from a condition that may be responsible for your PVCs, such as mitral valve prolapse or heart failure. Your doctor may also need to perform tests on your blood to identify the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could indicate that you have PVCs or another problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders. You may be referred a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. The specialist might need to conduct additional tests if you suffer from structural heart diseases, such as the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will determine whether your heart has been damaged and the severity of the damage. In some cases, the doctor might suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is causing your PVCs.