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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 usually aren't risky, and they may go away on their own. Doctors will listen to your heartbeat, and check other vital signs. They may order an Holter monitor, a device that records the electrical impulses your heart produces over the course of 24 hours. the window doctor may also request blood tests to assess the levels of electrolytes and thyroid hormones. Diagnosis PVCs occur when electrical impulses from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles, or lower chambers, fail to pass through a structure referred to as the SA node. This delays the next heartbeat which can cause a feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs may occur alone, 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 have no symptoms, but others experience heart palpitations. It could be an unsteady heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat. Other signs include fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling that you're unwell. A lot of people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If someone is experiencing frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change in the way of life or diet including a reduction in caffeine, alcohol and stress. They may also prescribe medications such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers which can lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history, and then perform a physical examination to check on their general health. They may also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to capture an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer durations and captures the heart's rhythms over time. In some cases, doctors may order blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs. A pvc doctor may refer the patient to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not. PVCs are everywhere and are not usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long period of time. This can cause weakening of the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most prevalent in older people or those with some form of heart disease. This can happen to healthy people who have a normal, normal heart. However, it is more common in those who regularly exercise. Most of the time, this isn't an issue to worry about but it's important to tell a doctor if you notice symptoms such as fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs are not harmful or cause any symptoms in the majority of people. They do not require treatment. However when you do feel your heart is lagging a beat or is racing, it's vital to see a doctor as soon as you can. A cardiologist will begin by conducting an interview and then perform a a physical exam, monitoring your heart using an stethoscope to detect any irregular beats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed that records the electrical impulses in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is found then an all-day Holter monitor or a portable ECG is required to capture the irregular rhythm over longer durations of time. These devices can help doctors determine if you suffer from PVCs and the reason for them which could be due to 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 whether your heart health is in good order and to look for structural issues which could lead to PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to check how your heart reacts to exercise, as physical exercise can increase the frequency of your pvcs. You can also get blood tests to check your thyroid hormone and magnesium, potassium, and other hormones to see if they're too low. This could lead to PVCs. After your doctor confirms that you have PVCs and has ruled any serious illness out, the decision to treat them is based on the impact they have on your life and how frequently they occur. If they occur only occasionally and do not cause any symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any treatment to decrease their frequency or severity. If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, which can cause palpitations or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your doctor may prescribe medication such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can reduce the frequency of instances of these irregular pulses. Prevention PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which can be described as “skipped beats” or flutterings in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes trigger the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest, and other times, they can make someone feel faint. These episodes are caused by the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. Regular PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart gets larger and is not able to pump blood. PVCs are usually caused by changes in the body's chemical. This includes the release of thyroid hormones and adrenaline and alcohol consumption or caffeine. A lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excessive weight. Certain people find that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods which contain preservatives that could cause a disturbance in 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 they are getting enough potassium and magnesium. Regular health checks are important and include annual physicals. These tests can help you identify any heart conditions that may cause your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an eat-healthy diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of 14 normal hospital wards revealed that healthcare workers were generally aware of preventive measures for the infection caused by vascular catheters, but their self-assessed conformity to these practices was low. After a feedback intervention the compliance level improved on a few areas, but was still very low. This suggests that education is required on how to implement preventive measures and those wards that are less conforming should be targeted for infection monitoring. These data can be used to guide quality improvement initiatives in these wards. It is likely that this will require further education and training for staff. It will also mean making sure that the correct materials are available for the implementation of the preventive measures. Signs and symptoms If you feel like your heart is racing or fluttering, it may be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they can be a sign of serious heart problems. In healthy people, PVCs that occur occasionally are not any problem. They generally disappear on their own. But if you have several of them, they could cause dizziness or weakness. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They might need to diagnose the problem by taking a medical history and giving you a physical exam. They'll likely also need to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. An ECG is a simple test that will allow your doctor to see the signal from your heartbeat as it travels through your heart over the course of a brief duration. The test will show if you have PVCs. Your doctor may also recommend a Holter monitor that records your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, which is a portable device which records your heart rhythm for 30 days. Other tests for your heart might be required, based on the reason for your PVCs. A cardiologist can check your blood pressure or perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests can tell whether you are suffering from an illness such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor might also need to do an analysis of your blood to determine what the problem is with your electrolytes, for example, low potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that could cause them, such as anxiety disorders and anemia. You may be referred an electrophysiologist who treats abnormal heart rhythms. This specialist may need to conduct other tests if you are suffering from heart problems that are structural like an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine whether you've damaged your heart and how serious it is. In certain cases an expert may recommend an implanted pacemaker to treat the issue that is causing the PVCs.