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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contracts (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats usually aren't dangerous, and they can go away on their own. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and check other vitals signs. They might order an Holter Monitor which records the electrical impulses of your heart over a span of 24 to 48 hours. They may also request blood tests to determine the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs occur when electrical impulses coming from the heart's lower chambers ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure referred to as the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, leading to a feeling like fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are known as doublets, whereas three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as the term ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Some people have no symptoms, whereas others experience heart palpitations. This can feel like the sound of a beating heart or a rapid heartbeat. Other signs include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell. Many people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to diet or lifestyle. For the window doctor restricting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They can also prescribe medications, such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and conduct an examination to check on their general health. They can also employ a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms over longer periods of time or an electrocardiogram which captures a picture of the electrical activity of the heart. Doctors may order blood tests in some instances to look for imbalances in electrolytes or toxic effects of drugs. Sometimes, a pvc doctor may refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not. PVCs are frequent and usually don't cause any problems unless they happen frequently over a long time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more prevalent in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious concern, but it is important to tell your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. But when you do feel your heart is lagging the beat or is racing, it's crucial to speak to a doctor as soon as possible. A cardiologist will first interview you and perform an examination of your body and listen to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified, an all-day Holter monitor or a portable ECG will be needed to record the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other factors. You might be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is good and to look for structural problems that could cause PVCs. You may also be asked to take stress tests to find out the response of your heart to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also take blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This could cause PVCs. After your doctor confirms that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious diseases out, the decision to treat them is based on the impact they have on your life and how often they occur. If they happen only on occasion and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will recommend any medication to reduce their frequency or severity. However, if you have frequent PVCs that cause the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor might suggest medication for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes like avoiding caffeine, smoking and stress levels that are excessive can reduce the frequency of these irregular pulses. The following is a list of preventatives. PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which can be described as “skipped beats” or flutterings in the chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of pressure or fullness, or make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it normally does. The frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain, as well as a lack of exercise, can trigger these symptoms. Some people can find that a change in diet helps reduce their PVCs. They can, for instance avoid foods that are preservative-laden, which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and disodium Inosinate, and diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting enough magnesium and potassium. It is important to get regular health check-ups, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These can help diagnose any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should avoid smoking and follow a healthy diet plan. 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 to avoid vascular catheter-related infections however, their self-assessment of compliance with these practices was low. After a feedback intervention the compliance level improved on a few wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training is required on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not than compliant should be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This could involve additional training and education for personnel. It will also mean making sure that the appropriate materials are available for the implementation of preventive measures. Signs and symptoms Involuntary ventricular contractions that are premature can cause your heartbeat to skip beats or flutter. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they may be the sign of heart problems. In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't an issue and they usually disappear by themselves. But if you have several of them, they may lead to dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. You might need to provide your medical history and they might also perform a physical examination in order to determine the cause. They'll also probably want to conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. A short ECG test allows your doctor to see the signal of your heartbeat moving through your body for a a short period of time. The test will determine if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also decide to do an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You could also wear a portable device that records your heart's rhythm over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor. Other tests for the heart may be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. For example a cardiologist could check your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can tell if you suffer from an illness like heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also be required to run an examination of your blood to determine what is wrong with your electrolytes, for example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, such as anxiety disorders and anemia. You might be referred to an electrophysiologist an expert who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. The specialist might need to perform other tests if you have heart conditions that cause structural damage like the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will help determine if your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In certain cases, a specialist may recommend a pacemaker to treat the condition that causes the PVCs.