Diagnosis
To diagnose premature ventricular contractions ( PVCs ), a health care supplier will typically listen to your heart with a stethoscope. You may be asked questions about your life style habits and aesculapian history .
Tests are done to confirm a diagnosis of premature ventricular contractions .
Tests
An electrocardiogram ( ECG or EKG ) can detect the extra beats and identify the pattern and generator.
An ECG is a flying and painless test to record the heart ‘s electrical activeness. awkward patches ( electrodes ) are placed on the thorax and sometimes the arms and legs. Wires connect the electrodes to a calculator, which displays the test results. An electrocardiogram can show if the heart is beating besides fast, excessively dense or not at all .
If you do n’t have PVCs very much, a standard ECG may not detect them. Your health care provider may ask you to use a portable ECG device at home to obtain more data about your heartbeats. portable electrocardiogram devices include :
- Holter monitor. This portable ECG device can be worn for a day or more to record the heart’s activity during daily activities. Some personal devices, such as smartwatches, offer portable ECG monitoring. Ask your health care provider if this is an option for you.
- Event monitor. This portable ECG device is intended to be worn for up to 30 days or until you have an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) or symptoms. You usually press a button when symptoms occur. But some monitors automatically sense the irregular heartbeats and then start recording.
Your health concern supplier may besides recommend an exercise stress test. This test much involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle while an ECG is done. An use stress test can help determine whether practice triggers your PVCs .
Treatment
Most people with previous ventricular contractions ( PVCs ) who do n’t have heart disease wo n’t need treatment. If you have center disease, PVCs can lead to more-serious heart cycle problems ( cardiac arrhythmia ). Treatment depends on the fundamental induce .
A health worry provider may recommend the keep up discussion for frequent premature ventricular contraction :
- Lifestyle changes. Eliminating common PVC triggers — such as caffeine or tobacco — may reduce the number of extra beats and lessen symptoms.
- Medications. Blood pressure medications may be prescribed to reduce the premature contractions. Those used for PVCs may include beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Drugs to control the heart rhythm also may be prescribed if you have a type of irregular heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia or frequent PVCs that interfere with heart function.
- Radiofrequency catheter ablation. If lifestyle changes and medications don’t help reduce the PVCs, a catheter procedure may be done to stop the extra beats. In this procedure, a health care provider threads one or more thin, flexible tubes (catheters) through an artery, usually in the groin, and guides them to the heart. Sensors (electrodes) on the tip of the catheter use heat (radiofrequency) energy to create tiny scars in the heart to block irregular electrical signals and restore the heart rhythm.
Clinical trials
research Mayo Clinic studies testing newly treatments, interventions and tests as a intend to prevent, detect, process or do this discipline.
Lifestyle and home remedies
The following self-care strategies can help control premature ventricular contractions ( PVCs ) and improve heart health :
- Track your triggers. If you have frequent PVCs, keeping a diary of the day and timing of symptoms may be helpful. A diary may help identify foods, drinks or activities that trigger the premature ventricular contractions.
- Modify your substance use. Caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and stimulant drugs are known triggers of premature ventricular contractions. Reducing or avoiding such items may reduce PVC symptoms.
- Manage stress. Anxiety can trigger irregular heartbeats. Find ways to help reduce emotional stress. Getting more exercise, practicing mindfulness and connecting with others in support groups are some ways to tame stress. If you need help managing anxiety, talk to your health care provider about strategies and medications that may help.
Preparing for your appointment
You ‘re probable to start by seeing your class care provider. You may be referred to a doctor trained in kernel diseases ( cardiologist ) .
here ‘s some information to help you get quick for your appointment .
What you can do
Make a tilt of :
- Your symptoms, how they feel and when they began
- Key medical information, including other recent health conditions and family history of heart disease
- All medications, vitamins and other supplements you take and their dosages
- Questions to ask your health care provider
Take a friend or relative with you, if possible, to help you remember the information you receive.
For premature ventricular contractions, questions to ask your health care supplier admit :
- What is likely causing my symptoms?
- What tests do I need?
- What treatment approach do you recommend, if any?
- What lifestyle changes can I make to reduce my symptoms?
- Do I need to eliminate alcohol and caffeine?
- Am I at risk of long-term complications?
- How will you monitor my health over time?
- Do I need to adjust the medications I’m taking for other health conditions?
Do n’t hesitate to ask other questions .
What to expect from your doctor
Your health care supplier is probably to ask you questions, including :
- Do your symptoms come and go? If so, when are they likely to occur?
- Do you drink alcohol? If so, how much?
- Do you use caffeine? If so, how much?
- Do you smoke or use other nicotine products?
- Do you use illegal drugs?
- How often do you feel stressed or anxious? What do you do to manage these feelings?
