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Why It's Important to See a Doctor Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are usually not risky, and they may go away on their own. Doctors will monitor your heartbeat and also check other vitals indicators. They might order a Holter monitor, a device that tracks your heart's electrical impulses over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They can also request blood tests to determine your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels. Diagnosis PVCs are caused by electrical impulses coming from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles misfire through a structure called the SA node. This delays the next heartbeat which can cause the feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest. PVCs can be seen in a single pattern or in repeated patterns. Doublets are two consecutive PVCs. Ventricular tachycardia can be described as three or more consecutive ones. Some people have no symptoms, whereas others experience heart palpitations. It can be felt as the sound of a beating heart or a slurred heartbeat. Other symptoms that are common are fatigue, dizziness or a sensation of being sick. Many people who have occasional PVCs don't need any treatment. If a person has frequent episodes, doctors could recommend a change in lifestyle or diet like limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress. They may also prescribe medication like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Doctors will inquire about the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam to assess their general health. They can also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get an image of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor which is worn for longer durations and records the heart's rhythms over time. In certain instances doctors may request blood tests to look for an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicity. Sometimes, a pvc physician will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm issues, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs, and determine whether they are malignant or benign. PVCs are all over the place and are generally not harmful when used frequently or for a long period of time. This can lead to a weakened in the heart muscle, or a condition called pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more common in older adults or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people who have a normal, normal heart. However, it's more common in those who regularly exercise. It's not an issue to worry about, but it is important to speak with your doctor if you experience symptoms like fainting or fatigue. Treatment PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They do not require treatment. But, for those who do experience a sensation like your heart is lagging an beat or is racing, it's crucial to consult a physician as soon as possible. A cardiologist will start by interviewing you and doing a physical exam, monitoring your heart using a stethoscope for any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed, which will record the electrical impulses in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected then you will require a 24-hour Holter monitor or another portable ECG is required to capture the irregular rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will assist doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason behind them, like an electrolyte imbalance or drug toxicities, or any other cause. An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to assess if your heart is healthy and check for indications of structural issues which could cause PVCs. You might also be required to undergo a stress test in order to determine the response of your heart to exercise. Exercise can increase your frequency of pvcs. You may also be able to have blood tests to assess your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to find out whether they are insufficient which could contribute to the development of PVCs. If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs and has ruled any serious diseases out, the decision to treat them is based on the impact they have on your life and how often they occur. If they only occur occasionally and do not cause symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication that will reduce their frequency or severity. If you experience frequent PVCs that do cause heart palpitations, as well as other symptoms like lightheadedness or feeling like you're about to faint, your doctor might suggest medication, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes such as abstaining from smoking, caffeine and stress levels that are excessive can also decrease the frequency of these abnormal pulses. Prevention PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations which may feel like “skipped beats” or flutters in your chest. These episodes can create a feeling of fullness or pressure, or they may cause you to feel faint. These episodes happen because the heart isn't pumping as efficiently as it normally does. PVCs are associated with a higher risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition where the heart gets larger and is unable to pump blood. PVCs are often caused by changes in body chemical balance. This can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. A lack of exercise can trigger these episodes, as can stress or excess weight. window doctor find that a change in diet helps reduce their PVCs. They can, for example avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance of the heart rhythm. These include disodium guanylate and disodium Inosinate, and diazole Sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they're getting enough potassium and magnesium. Regular health checks are crucial as are annual physicals. These tests can help identify any heart-related conditions that could be causing your PVCs. You should also follow an appropriate diet and avoid smoking, which could increase the frequency of your episodes. A survey of 14 typical hospital wards revealed that healthcare staff were generally aware of preventive measures to avoid vascular catheter-associated infection, but their self-assessed conformity to these procedures was not high. After a feedback program, compliance improved on some areas, but was still very low. This suggests that education is needed on how to implement preventive measures and those wards that are not conforming should be targeted for infection monitoring. This information can be used to guide the implementation of further quality improvement initiatives for these wards. This will likely involve further education and training for staff. It will also be important to ensure that the right materials for implementing the preventive measures are readily available. Signs and symptoms If you feel that your heart is racing or fluttering, it may be a sign of premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias aren't necessarily dangerous or they could be a sign of serious heart problems. In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they generally disappear by themselves. However, if you suffer from many of them, they may cause weakness or dizziness. If you're worried, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. You might be required to provide a medical history, and they may also conduct an examination to determine the cause. They'll likely also need to conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other tests. A quick ECG test lets your doctor see the pulse of your heart moving through your body for a the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they'll show up in the test. Your doctor may also suggest to conduct an overnight or 24-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat for longer periods of time. They can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You might also carry a device that can record your heart's rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor. Other heart tests may be required, depending on the reason behind your PVCs. For example a cardiologist could check your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These tests can tell whether you are suffering from a condition such as heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may also be required to run an examination of your blood to determine what is wrong with your electrolytes like low potassium or high calcium levels. This can be a sign of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, like anxiety disorders and anemia. You could be referred to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. This specialist may need to perform other tests if you suffer from heart conditions that cause structural damage, such as the CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests will tell you if you have damage to your heart, and how serious it is. In certain cases, a doctor might suggest the use of a pacemaker or ICD to treat the underlying condition that's creating your PVCs.