Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats aren't usually dangerous, and they can disappear by themselves.
Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and check other vitals signs. They may order an Holter Monitor, which captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a span of between 24 and 48 hours. They might also order blood tests to assess your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.
Diagnosis
PVCs happen when electrical impulses coming from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This delay the next heartbeat, causing a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or repeated patterns. Doublets are PVCs that occur in a series of. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive ones.
Some people do not experience any symptoms, whereas others experience palpitations. It can be felt as the sound of a beating heart or a rapid heartbeat. Other common symptoms are tiredness, dizziness or a sensation of being unwell.
Many people who have occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors might suggest a change to diet or lifestyle, such as limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They might prescribe beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.
Doctors will inquire about the person's medical history and do a physical exam to check their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor, which is worn for longer time periods and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may request blood tests in certain cases to check for electrolyte imbalances or toxic substances in the body.
Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist in heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.
PVCs are everywhere and are generally not harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most common in people who are older or those suffering from some type of heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with a normal heart, although it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. Usually, this isn't a serious concern, but it is important to consult a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue.
Treatment
PVCs aren't harmful or cause symptoms in a lot of people. They do not require treatment. But those who do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it's important to see a doctor immediately.
A cardiologist will begin by interviewing you and doing an examination of your body, listening to your heart with a stethoscope for any irregular beats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical impulses of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified, an portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor is required to record the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs, and their cause, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.
You may be asked to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural issues which could lead to PVCs. You may also be asked to take stress tests to assess how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of pvcs. You may also undergo blood tests to assess your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to determine whether they are insufficient, which can contribute to the development of PVCs.
After your doctor has determined that you're suffering from PVCs and has ruled out any serious illnesses, the decision of whether to treat them will depend on the degree to which they're affecting your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they occur only occasionally and don't cause any symptoms the doctor is not likely to recommend any medication that will decrease their frequency or severity.
If you have frequent PVCs, which can cause heart palpitations, or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your physician may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like smoking, caffeine and excess stress, can also aid in reducing the frequency of instances of these abnormal pulses.
Prevention
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 can cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest, and other times, they can make a person feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. PVCs are linked to an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical chemistry. These include the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain, as well as a lack of exercise, can trigger these symptoms.
Certain people find that altering their diet can help reduce PVCs. They can, for instance avoid foods that contain preservatives which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and diazole, and disodium inosinate sodium (E282-283). They can also take in more fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get sufficient magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are essential and include annual physicals. These tests can help diagnose any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. You should also not smoke and adhere to an appropriate diet program. This could increase the frequency of episodes.
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Symptoms
If you feel like your heart is racing or fluttering, it may be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they can be a sign of serious heart problems.
In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't an issue and they generally disappear on their own. However, if you suffer from many of them, they may cause weakness or dizziness. If you're worried about them, consult your doctor about them. They may need to determine the problem by taking an medical history and conducting an examination. They'll also probably want to conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.
A quick ECG test lets your doctor see the signal of your heartbeat moving through your body for a the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they'll show up on the test. Your doctor may also recommend the use of a Holter monitor
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Other heart tests may be required, depending on the reason behind your PVCs. For instance an cardiologist may test your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). This can help determine if you have a condition that is causing your PVCs like cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also be required to run tests on your blood to identify the problem with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs or a different problem such as anemia, or anxiety disorders.
You could be directed to an electrophysiologist, one of the specialists who specialize in treating irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from structural heart disease, this specialist might need to do other tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will tell you whether you've suffered damage to your heart and how serious it is. In some instances an expert may recommend a pacemaker to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs.
