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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractures (PVCs), are a form of irregular heartbeats. These extra beats are usually not harmful and will go away by themselves. Doctors will monitor your heartbeat, and check other vital signs. They might recommend an Holter monitor, a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by 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 which can cause a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive ones. While some people don't have any symptoms whatsoever Others experience heart palpitations which can feel like a pounding or skipping heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue or dizziness, or a feeling of being sick. Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors could recommend a change in lifestyle or diet like limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They can also prescribe medications, such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will inquire about their medical history and perform an examination of the body to assess their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may require blood tests in some cases to look for imbalances in electrolytes or toxic substances in the body. Sometimes, a pvc physician may refer a patient to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, to conduct a further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant. PVCs can be found everywhere and aren't usually harmful when used frequently or for long periods of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more common in older people or those suffering from any form of heart disease. It can also happen to healthy individuals with a normal, normal heart. However, it is more common in those who exercise regularly. It's not an issue to worry about but it's important to speak with an expert if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment For many people, sporadic PVCs might not cause symptoms or are harmless and require no treatment. But when you feel your heart is lagging an beat or is racing, it's important to see a doctor as soon as you can. A cardiologist will interview you and perform a physical examination and listen to your heart with an stethoscope to identify any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed that records the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is discovered then a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to document the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will assist doctors determine if you have PVCs and the cause of them, like an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity, or other factors. An echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to determine whether your heart is healthy and to look for indications of structural issues that could lead to PVCs. You may also be asked to undergo stress tests to find out how your heart reacts to exercise. Exercise can increase your frequency of pvcs. You can also get blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium and other hormones to see whether they're low. This can lead to PVCs. If your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs, and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment you choose to take depends on how they impact your life and how often they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to prescribe any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity. If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that trigger palpitations and other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor might suggest medication, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to avoid triggers, like smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can help lower the number of times you experience these irregular pulses. Prevention PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which can feel like “skipped beats” or flutters in the chest. These episodes can trigger a feeling of pressure or fullness, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. Frequent PVCs increase the chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart enlarges and is not able to pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. These include the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, in addition to drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or excess weight, as well as a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes. Certain people find that altering their diet may help to reduce the amount of PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause disturbances in the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and veggies to get sufficient magnesium. Regular health checks are crucial and include annual physicals. These can help diagnose any underlying heart conditions that could be the cause of your PVCs. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking and adhere to an appropriate diet plan. This can increase your frequency of episodes. upvc window doctor near me of healthcare professionals on 14 wards of a normal hospital revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infections, but that their self-assessed compliance with these measures was low. Compliance improved after a feedback intervention however, it was still low on some of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that training is needed on how to implement preventive measures, and those wards that are not than compliant should be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. It is likely that this will require more education and training for personnel. It will also require making sure that the correct materials are available for the implementation of the preventive measures. Symptoms If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it could be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be harmless or they can be the sign of heart problems. In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They generally disappear on their own. If you have many of them, it can cause dizziness or weakening. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. They may need to determine the problem by taking an history of your medical condition and giving you a physical exam. They may also want to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests. A short ECG test allows your doctor to see the heartbeat signal going through your body over a an extremely short time. If you have PVCs, they will show in the test. Your doctor may also decide to perform an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over longer periods of time. These can help differentiate PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You might also wear a portable device that records your heart rhythm over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor. Other heart tests may be required, based on the cause of your PVCs. For instance, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure and perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can tell whether you are suffering from an issue such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also be required to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine the problem with electrolytes. For example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia. You could be referred to an electrophysiologist a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. This specialist may need to perform other tests if you are suffering from heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether your heart is damaged and the severity of the damage. In some cases doctors may suggest an implanted pacemaker to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs.