Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats are generally not dangerous and may disappear on their own.
To diagnose PVC doctors listen to your heartbeat and check other vital signs. They may order an Holter Monitor which captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a time of between 24 and 48 hours. They can also order blood tests to determine your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.
Diagnosis
PVCs are caused by electrical impulses which misfire through the SA node, which is a structure found in the lower chambers of the heart. This delay the next heartbeat and causes a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats 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 ventricular tachycardia (VT).
While some people don't have any symptoms at all, others feel palpitations, that can be felt as the heart beating faster or slower. Other common symptoms are tiredness and dizziness, as well as a feeling of being sick.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs do not require any treatment. If a patient experiences frequent episodes, a physician may recommend a change to diet or lifestyle. For example the restriction of caffeine or stress, as well as alcohol. They can also prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, which can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Doctors will inquire about the patient's medical history and conduct a physical exam to check their general health. They may also utilize a Holter monitor to track the heart's rhythms over longer periods of time or an electrocardiogram which takes a snapshot at the electrical activity within the heart. In certain cases doctors may request blood tests to determine if there is an electrolyte imbalance or toxic effects from drugs.
Sometimes, a pvc physician will refer someone to a specialist for heart rhythm problems, or an electrophysiologist, for further evaluation. This doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or not.
PVCs are quite common and rarely cause any issues, unless they happen frequently over a long period of time. This can lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition known as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is most prevalent in older people or those with some form of heart disease. It can also occur to healthy people who have normal, normal hearts. However, it is more common in those who regularly exercise. It's not a serious problem, but it is important to consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
PVCs are not harmful and do not cause symptoms in many people. They don't require treatment. If you notice that your heart is racing or skipping an entire beat, you need to seek out a physician immediately.
A cardiologist will then interview you and conduct a physical examination and listen to your heart with a stethoscope to detect any irregular heartbeats. Additionally, you will have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done that records the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and identify any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected then a portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to capture the abnormal rhythm for longer durations of time. These devices will help doctors determine if you have PVCs and the reason behind them, like an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicity, or other factors.
You might 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 cause PVCs. You may also undergo a stress test to check how your heart responds to exercise, since physical activity can increase the frequency of your PVCs. You can also get blood tests to determine your thyroid hormone as well as potassium, magnesium, and other hormones to determine whether they're insufficient. This can lead to PVCs.
If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from PVCs, and has ruled any serious illnesses out, the treatment option you choose depends on how they impact your life and how often they occur. If they only occur occasionally and don't cause any symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to recommend any medication to decrease their frequency or severity.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs that cause pulses or other symptoms, like feeling lightheaded or fainting, your physician may prescribe medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Altering your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as smoking, caffeine, and excessive stress, can help lower the number of instances of these unusual pulses.
Prevention
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations, which can feel like "skipped beats" or flutters in your chest. Sometimes, these episodes can cause the chest to feel full or swollen in the chest. Other occasions, they may make a person feel faint. These episodes result from the heart not pumping as efficiently as it should. Frequent PVCs increase the risk of developing dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition wherein the heart expands and becomes ineffective at pump blood.
PVCs often are caused by changes in body chemistry. This is due to the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones as well as drinking alcohol or caffeine. Lack of exercise can also trigger these episodes and stress, as well as excess weight.
Certain people find that changing their diet can help reduce the amount of PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance to the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). It is also recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they're getting enough potassium and magnesium.
It is crucial to undergo regular health checks, which include yearly physicals and lab tests. These can help diagnose any heart issues that could be causing your PVCs. It is also recommended to adhere to an eat-healthy diet and refrain from smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
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Symptoms
If you feel that your heart beats are erratic or fluttering, it could be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias may be harmless or they could be a sign of serious heart problems.
In healthy individuals, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they usually disappear by themselves. If you've got a lot of them, it could cause dizziness or weakness. Talk to your doctor if worried. They might need to diagnose the issue by taking an medical history and conducting a physical exam. They might also need to perform an electrocardiogram or other tests.
A short ECG test will allow your doctor to observe the heartbeat signal moving through your body over the course of a brief period. If you have PVCs, they'll be visible on the test. Your doctor might also want to conduct a 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor which monitors your heartbeat for longer durations of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other types of arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You can wear an event monitor, a portable device which keeps track of your heart's rhythm for 30 days.
Other tests for your heart might be needed, depending on the reason for your PVCs. For example an cardiologist may test your blood pressure and do an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). These can help find the presence of a medical condition that is responsible for your PVCs like mitral valve prolapse or heart failure.
Your doctor may also be required to run an examination of your blood to determine what is wrong in your electrolytes, like low potassium or high calcium levels. This could indicate that you have PVCs or a different condition such as anemia or anxiety disorders.
You could be referred to an electrophysiologist, an expert who specializes in treating abnormal heart rhythms. The specialist might need to conduct other tests if you suffer from heart problems that are structural like an CT or MRI scan of your chest. These tests can determine if you have damage to your heart and how serious it is. In some instances, a specialist may recommend a pacemaker to treat the issue that causes the PVCs.