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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a kind of irregular heartbeat. window doctors near me are usually not dangerous, and they can disappear by themselves. To determine PVC, doctors will listen to your heartbeat and check other vital indicators. They might order an Holter Monitor, which records 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 are caused by electrical impulses that reverberate through the SA node, which is a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, causing the sensation of the heart is fluttering or skips beats. PVCs may occur alone, or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the term ventricular tachycardia (VT). Some people do not experience any symptoms, while others experience palpitations. This can feel like an unsteady heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. Other signs include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you're unwell. Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors could recommend a change in diet or lifestyle, such as limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress. They might prescribe medication such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Doctors will inquire about their medical history, and then perform an examination to check on their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get an image of the heart's electrical activity, or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer time periods and records the heart's rhythms over time. In some cases, doctors may order blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. Sometimes, a pvc physician will refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm problems or an electrophysiologist for further evaluation. This doctor will confirm a diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are benign or malignant. PVCs are frequent and usually don't cause any problems, unless they occur frequently over a long time. This could lead to a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. It is more common in older people or those suffering from some form of heart disease. It can also happen in healthy people with an uninvolved heart, however it is more likely to occur in those who exercise regularly. It's not an issue to worry about, but it is important to consult a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in a lot of people. They do not require treatment. If you feel like your heart is racing or skipping the beat, it's best to seek out a physician immediately. A cardiologist will first interview you and perform a physical examination, listening to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You will also undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical signals of your heart to determine any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, an all-day Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be required to detect the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason behind them, like an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicities, or other causes. You might be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good order and to look for structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You might also have a stress test to see how your heart responds to exercise, since physical activity can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also have blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium and other hormones to determine if they're too low. This can lead to PVCs. Once your doctor has confirmed that you're suffering from PVCs and has eliminated any serious illness and has made a decision about whether or not to treat them will be contingent on the extent to which they impact your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause symptoms the doctor is not likely to prescribe any medication to reduce their frequency or severity. If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that do cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as light-headedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your physician might recommend medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes such as abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress, can also reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses. The following is a list of preventions. PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations that can feel like “skipped beats” or flutters in your chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause an increase in pressure or fullness in the chest, and at other times, they can make someone feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as effectively as it should. Frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart gets larger and becomes ineffective at pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemistry. This includes the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, as well as drinking caffeine or alcohol. Inactivity can trigger these symptoms like stress or excessive weight. Some people find that changing their diet can reduce the number of PVCs. They can, for instance, avoid foods that contain preservatives which can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate, diazole, and disodium inosinate Sodium (E282-283). They can also consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they're getting enough potassium and magnesium. Regular health checks are essential as are annual physicals. These tests can help you identify any heart-related conditions that could cause your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 wards of a normal hospital found that they were mostly aware of the preventive measures to avoid infections caused by vascular catheters however, their self-assessment of compliance with these practices was not great. After a feedback program the compliance level improved on a few wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that education is needed on how to implement preventive measures, and that wards that are less compliant need to be targeted for monitoring of infection. This information can then be used to guide the implementation of further quality improvement initiatives on these wards. This will likely require further education and training for staff. It will also mean making sure that the correct tools are available for implementation of the preventive measures. Symptoms If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it may be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias could be normal, or they could indicate you have heart issues that are serious. In healthy people, sporadic PVCs aren't a problem, and they usually go away by themselves. But if you have several of them, they may cause dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if concerned. You may need to give a medical history, and they may also conduct an examination to determine the cause. They might also need to conduct an electrocardiogram or other tests. A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the pulse of your heart moving through your body for a an extremely short time. 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. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a portable device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days. Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the cause of your PVCs. For example a cardiologist could check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can determine whether you are suffering from an issue like heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also be required to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine the issue with electrolytes. For example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, such as anxiety disorders and anemia. You may be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural the specialist may have to conduct additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether your heart is damaged and how severe the damage is. In some instances, the doctor might recommend a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying issue creating your PVCs.