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Why It's Important to See a DoctorPremature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and may disappear on their own.Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and also check other vital indicators. They may also order an Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of between 24 and 48 hours. They might also order blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones.DiagnosisPVCs are caused by electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart, or ventricles, misfire through a structure called the SA node. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, causing a feeling like fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs are referred to as ventricular Tachycardia (VT).Some people do not experience any symptoms, whereas others experience palpitations. It could be the sound of a beating heart or a skipping heartbeat. repairmywindowsanddoors include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling that you're unwell.Many people who suffer from occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient is experiencing frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to the diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine, stress, and 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 inquire about the medical history of the patient and do a physical exam to determine their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms over a longer period of time, or an electrocardiogram, which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity within the heart. In some cases, doctors may order blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity.Occasionally, a pvc doctor will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm problems or an electrophysiologist for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm a diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are malignant or benign.PVCs are common and rarely cause any problems unless they happen frequently over a long time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. It is more prevalent in older people or people suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with normal heart function, but this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. Most of the time, this isn't an issue that is serious, but it is important to tell an expert if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.TreatmentFor many people, sporadic PVCs might not cause symptoms or require no treatment. However, for those who do feel their heart has skipped the beat or is racing, it's vital to speak to a doctor as soon as possible.A cardiologist will first interview you and perform physical examinations and listen to your heart using a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical signals of your heart to detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found then an all-day Holter monitor or another portable ECG will be needed to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity or other factors.An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart, can be ordered to determine whether your heart is in good health and to look for indications of structural issues that can lead to PVCs. You could also be required to undergo stress tests to assess how your heart reacts to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also have blood tests to determine your thyroid, potassium, and magnesium hormone levels to determine if they are too low, which can contribute to the formation of PVCs.After your doctor has confirmed that you're suffering from PVCs and has eliminated any serious illness, the decision on how to treat them will be contingent on the degree to which they're affecting your life and the frequency at which they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms, it's unlikely that your doctor will suggest any medication to lessen their frequency or severity.If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that do cause the sensation of palpitations or other symptoms, like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor might recommend medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, like abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also reduce the frequency of these abnormal pulses.PreventionPVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which may feel like "skipped beats" or flutterings in the chest. These episodes can create a feeling of pressure or fullness or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it normally does. Frequent PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart gets larger and becomes ineffective at pump blood.PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemical balance. This includes the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Lack of exercise can trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excess weight.Some people find that changing their diet can help reduce PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause a disturbance to 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 enough magnesium and potassium.It is important to get regular health check-ups, which include annual physicals and lab tests. These can help diagnose any underlying heart conditions that could be causing your PVCs. You should also not smoke and adhere to an appropriate diet program. This can increase the frequency of episodes.A survey of 14 normal hospital wards found that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid infections caused by vascular catheters, however their self-assessed conformity to these procedures was not high. Compliance improved after feedback interventions, but was still low on a few of the wards that were surveyed. This suggests that education on how to implement preventive measures is required, and that those wards that are not complying should be targeted for infection surveillance. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. It is likely that this will require further education and training for personnel. It will also be important to ensure that the right tools to implement the preventive measures are in place.Signs and symptomsPremature ventricular contractions can cause your heart to skip beats or flutter. These arrhythmias can be harmless or they can be an indication of serious heart issues.In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not an issue. They usually disappear by themselves. If you've got a lot of them, it can cause dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned you might be experiencing dizziness or weakness, talk to your doctor about them. They may need to determine the problem by taking an history of your medical condition and performing an examination. They might also conduct an electrocardiogram or other tests.An ECG is a simple test that lets your health care provider see the signal from your heartbeat as it moves through your heart for a short period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible in the test. Your doctor may also suggest to do an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These can help differentiate PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You might also be wearing a device that can record your heart rhythm over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor.Other tests for your heart might be needed, depending on the reason for your PVCs. For instance, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can determine whether you are suffering from a condition such as heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy.Your doctor may also have to run a blood test to see what is wrong in your electrolytes, for example, low potassium levels or high calcium levels. This could indicate that you have PVCs or another health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders.You may be referred to an electrophysiologist a specialist who specializes in treating irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural the doctor may need to do other tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe the damage is. In some cases, the doctor may recommend the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying issue creating your PVCs.