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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are typically not dangerous and may disappear on their own. To diagnose PVC Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital indicators. They may order an Holter monitor which records the electrical impulses your heart produces over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to determine your electrolyte levels and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, a structure in the lower chambers of the heart. This delays the next heartbeat, causing an experience of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can occur in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive PVCs. Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, but others experience heart palpitations. It can be felt as the sound of a beating heart or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you're unwell. windows doctor of people who have occasional PVCs do not require treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change to the way of life or diet, such as limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and perform an examination of the body to assess their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time or an electrocardiogram which captures a picture of the electrical activity within the heart. In certain cases doctors may require blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs. A pvc doctor may refer a patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine whether they are benign or not. PVCs are everywhere and are generally not harmful when used frequently or for long periods of time. This could 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 happen in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely in those who exercise regularly. It is not a major problem, but it is important to consult your physician if you notice symptoms like fatigue or fainting occur. Treatment For many people, occasional PVCs may not cause any symptoms or are harmless and need no treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or not making an entire beat, you need to seek out a physician immediately. A cardiologist will first interview you and then perform an examination of your body, listening to your heart through an stethoscope to identify any irregular beats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical signals in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been identified it is recommended to use the use of a portable ECG or 24-hour Holter monitor is required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you have PVCs and their causes, such as an imbalance in electrolytes, drug toxicity 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 could also have an exercise test to determine how your heart responds to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You may also be able to have blood tests to assess your thyroid, magnesium, and potassium hormone levels to determine if they are too low and can cause the formation of PVCs. After your doctor has determined that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled out any serious illness, the decision of whether or not to treat them will be based 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 trigger any symptoms, it's unlikely your doctor will prescribe any medication to reduce the frequency or severity of them. However, if you have frequent PVCs that trigger heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your physician might suggest medication for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Changes in lifestyle, such as abstaining from smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress can also decrease the frequency of these irregular pulses. Prevention PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may feel like “skipped beats” or flutters in your chest. These episodes can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure, or make you feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and unable to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemistry. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. Inactivity can trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excess weight. Some people find that changing their diet may help to reduce the number of PVCs. For example, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance in the heart rhythm, such as disodium Guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). Consume more fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium. It is essential to have regular health check-ups, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These can help diagnose any heart-related conditions which could be causing your PVCs. You should also avoid smoking and follow an appropriate diet program. This can increase your frequency of episodes. A survey of 14 regular hospital wards revealed that healthcare personnel were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid infections caused by vascular catheters, however their self-assessment of compliance to these practices was low. After a feedback program that improved compliance on certain wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training on the best ways to implement preventive measures is necessary and that the areas that are not as well-adjusted should be targeted for surveillance of infection. This information can be used to help in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will likely require additional education and training for staff. It will also mean making sure that the appropriate tools are available for implementing of the preventive measures. Symptoms If you feel your heart is racing or fluttering, it could be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless, or they could indicate you have heart issues that are serious. In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem, and they generally disappear by themselves. If you have many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakening. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned. You might be required to provide your medical history and they may also conduct an examination of the body to determine the cause. They'll likely also need to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. An ECG is a simple test that allows your health care provider observe the signal generated by your heartbeat as it moves through your heart for the course of a brief period of time. If you have PVCs, they'll show up in the test. Your doctor may also suggest a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat for a longer period of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias causing heart palpitations. You might also carry a device that can record your heart rate over the course of 30 days, which is known as an event monitor. Other tests for your heart might be required, depending on the reason for your PVCs. For example, a cardiologist might check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests can reveal the presence of a medical condition that is responsible for your PVCs like mitral valve prolapse, cardiomyopathy or heart failure. 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 calcium levels. This could be a sign that you have PVCs or another condition such as anemia or anxiety disorders. You could be referred to a specialist in electrophysiology, who can treat irregular heart rhythms. If you suffer from structural heart disease the doctor may need to perform additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests can tell whether you've suffered damage to your heart, and how serious it is. In some cases an expert may recommend pacemakers to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs.