Why It's Important to See a Doctor

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not hazardous, and they could go away by themselves.

To determine pvc doctor Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and also check other vital signs. They may order a Holter monitor, a device that records your heart's electrical impulses over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They may also order blood tests to check your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.

Diagnosis

PVCs are caused by electrical impulses that misfire through the SA node, a structure located in the lower chambers of the heart. This causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, leading to the sensation of the heart is fluttering or skips beats. PVCs can be seen in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Two consecutive PVCs are referred to as doublets. Three or more consecutive PVCs constitute the condition known as ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Some people don't experience any symptoms at all Some experience palpitations, which could feel like the heart beating faster or slower. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue or dizziness, or a feeling of being unwell.

Many people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient has frequent episodes, a doctor might recommend a change in the diet or lifestyle. For instance restricting caffeine and stress as well as alcohol. They can prescribe medication such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.

Doctors will inquire about the medical history of the patient and perform a physical examination to determine their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to record the heart's rhythms over longer durations, or an electrocardiogram, which captures a picture of the electrical activity within the heart. In certain cases doctors may request blood tests to check for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.

Occasionally, a pvc doctor may refer a patient to a specialist in heart rhythm issues or an electrophysiologist for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.

PVCs are fairly common and rarely cause any problems unless they occur frequently over a long period of time. This can cause a weakening in the heart muscle, or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiac myopathy. This is more prevalent in older people or those with heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people with normal, normal heart. However, it is more prevalent among those who exercise regularly. It's not a serious concern but it's important to speak with an expert if you notice symptoms like fainting or fatigue.

Treatment

PVCs are not harmful or cause symptoms in many people. They do not require treatment. If you feel that your heart is racing or slurring a beat, it's best to see a doctor right away.

A cardiologist will start by interviewing you and doing an examination of your body, monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular heartbeats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical signals in your heart and detect any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been detected then the use of a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor is required to record the irregular rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can assist doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs, and their cause like an imbalance in electrolytes, toxicity of drugs or other factors.

You may be required to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine if your heart health is in good shape and to check for structural problems that could lead to PVCs. You might also be asked to take an exercise test to find out the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase the frequency of pvcs. You can also have blood tests to check your thyroid hormone, magnesium, potassium and other hormones to see whether they're insufficient. This can lead to PVCs.

After your doctor has determined that you're suffering from PVCs and has ruled out any serious diseases and has made a decision about how to treat them will be based on how much they're impacting your life and how often they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to prescribe any medication to decrease their frequency or severity.

If, however, you suffer from frequent PVCs that do cause palpitations and other symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded or like you're going to faint, your doctor might recommend medications for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to avoid triggers, such as caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can help lower the number of instances of these unusual pulses.

Prevention

A person may experience no symptoms whatsoever from PVCs, or feel heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can appear as "skipped" beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest. These episodes can create an 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. PVCs are associated with an increased risk of developing dilated cardiac myopathy. This is a condition where the heart expands and becomes is unable to pump blood.

PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well drinking alcohol or caffeine. Stress or weight gain and an insufficient amount of exercise can trigger these episodes.

Some people find that changing their diet may help to reduce PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause a disturbance in the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621) disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to consume more fruits and vegetables to ensure they are getting sufficient magnesium and potassium.

Regular health checks are essential as are annual physicals. They can aid in identifying any underlying heart conditions that could be causing your PVCs. You should also refrain from smoking and adhere to the healthy eating plan. This can increase the frequency of episodes.

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Symptoms

If you feel your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it could be due to premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they may be the sign of heart problems.

In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not a problem. They typically disappear on their own. If you're suffering from many of them, they can cause dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. You might be required to provide an medical history, and they may also conduct an examination to diagnose the problem. They'll likely also need to do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests.

A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the pulse of your heart going through your body over a the course of a brief period. The test will determine if you have PVCs. Your doctor might also suggest a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer period of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias which cause heart palpitations. You could also be wearing a device that records your heart rate over a period of 30 days, referred to as an event monitor.

Other tests for the heart may be needed, depending on the cause of your PVCs. A cardiologist will test your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can reveal if you have a condition that is the cause of your PVCs like cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.

Your doctor may also need to conduct tests on your blood to identify the issue with electrolytes. For instance, you may have low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This could be a sign that you have PVCs, or another health issue such as anemia or anxiety disorders.

You might be referred to an electrophysiologist a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. This specialist may need to conduct other tests if you suffer from heart conditions that cause structural damage like an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether your heart has been damaged and how severe the damage is. In some cases, the specialist might recommend the door doctor use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is causing your PVCs.