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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 usually aren't hazardous, and they could go away by themselves. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat and also check other vital signs. They might order a Holter Monitor that records the electrical impulses of your heart over a time of between 24 and 48 hours. They may also order blood tests for checking 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 causes the next heartbeat to be delayed, causing an experience similar to fluttering or skipped beats. PVCs can occur in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia refers to three or more consecutive ones. Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, while others experience palpitations. It can be felt as a pounding heartbeat or a skipping heartbeat. Other typical symptoms include fatigue, dizziness or a sensation of being sick. Many people with occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a doctor might suggest a change in diet or lifestyle. For example restricting caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They may prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and perform a physical examination to assess their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms for a longer period of time or an electrocardiogram which records a snapshot of the electrical activity of the heart. In some cases doctors may require blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. A pvc doctor may refer a patient to an electrophysiologist, or a specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further examination. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not. PVCs are frequent and usually don't cause any problems, unless they occur frequently over a long time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older adults or people suffering from heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people with normal, normal heart. However, it's more prevalent in people who regularly exercise. Usually, this isn't an issue that is serious but it's important to speak with a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment For many, occasional PVCs might not cause symptoms or are harmless and need no treatment. However when you feel your heart is lagging a beat or is racing, it's important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible. A cardiologist will start by interviewing you and doing an examination of your body, listening to your heart with the stethoscope to look for irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will undergo an electrocardiogram that records the electrical signals of your heart, allowing you to identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is identified then an portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor is required to document the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason for them like an imbalance in electrolytes, toxic drugs or other factors. You may be requested to undergo an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of your heart) to determine whether your heart health is in good order and to look for structural issues which could lead to PVCs. You might also have a stress test to see how your heart responds to physical activity can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also get blood tests to test your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium and other hormones to see whether they're insufficient. This can lead to PVCs. If your doctor confirms that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious illness out, the treatment option you choose depends on how they impact your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication that will decrease their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that trigger heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms like lightheadedness or feeling like you're going to faint, your physician might suggest medication for you, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes like abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses. Prevention A person might not experience any symptoms at all from PVCs or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats) that can feel like “skipped” beats or fluttering in the chest. These episodes can cause feelings of pressure or fullness, or they can make you feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. PVCs are linked to an increased chance of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and unable to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemistry. They can be caused by the release of thyroid and adrenaline hormones, and drinking caffeine or alcohol. A lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes like stress or excess weight. Some people can find that a change in their diet can reduce their PVCs. For instance, they could avoid foods with preservatives, which can cause disturbances in the heartbeat, for example disodium guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627), and diazole sodium (E282-283). Eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get sufficient magnesium. Regular health checks are essential, including yearly physicals. They can aid in identifying any heart-related conditions that could be the cause of your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to a healthy eating plan and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of healthcare professionals on 14 wards of a normal hospital revealed that they were aware of the preventive measures that could be used to treat vascular catheter-associated infections However, their self-assessed compliance with these guidelines was not great. After window doctors that improved compliance on certain wards, but it was still not as high. This suggests that training is required on how to implement preventive measures and that wards that are less conforming should be targeted for monitoring of infection. These data can be used to inform quality improvement initiatives in these wards. This will likely require more education and training for personnel. It will also involve making sure that the correct materials are in place for the implementation of preventive measures. Signs and symptoms Premature ventricular contractions can cause your heartbeat to skip or to flutter. These arrhythmias may be harmless, but they could indicate that you are suffering from serious heart issues. In healthy individuals, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They typically disappear by themselves. But if you have several of them, they may lead to dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They may need to determine the problem by taking an medical history and conducting a physical exam. They may also do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. A short ECG test lets your doctor see the heartbeat signal moving through your body over a short period of time. The test will determine if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also decide to perform an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor, which records your heartbeat for longer periods of time. These tests can help differentiate PVCs from arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can also wear an event monitor, a handheld device which tracks your heart's rhythm over 30 days. Other heart tests may be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. For example an cardiologist may test your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These can help find if you have a condition that may be responsible for your PVCs or heart valves, such as cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse or heart failure. Your doctor may also have to conduct an analysis of your blood to determine the problem with electrolytes. For example, low potassium levels or a high level of calcium. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, like anxiety disorders and anemia. You could be referred to an electrophysiologist who treats abnormal heart rhythms. This specialist may need to conduct other tests if you suffer from heart conditions that cause structural damage like the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine if you have damage to your heart and how severe it is. In certain cases doctors may suggest pacemakers to treat the issue which is causing the PVCs.