undergo the ECG over a period of a couple of days.
Sometimes, you’ll need other tests such as echocardiography to evaluate your heart’s function, cardiac stress testing to check how your heart responds to strenuous exercise, and blood tests to determine the level of certain electrolytes in your blood.
Since PVCs can be caused by other conditions such as hyperthyroidism, your doctor might also want to conduct other tests to be sure.
How PVCs Are Treated
Many people with PVCs don’t need a specific treatment program. Your doctor might suggest making a few lifestyle changes such as eliminating foods or over-the-counter drugs that can trigger the condition.
If you have any underlying conditions, then those will be treated as well. For those who need treatment for PVCs, the doctor will try medications first. A few of the options are beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and drugs that are designed to control your heart’s rhythm.
In the event that lifestyle changes and medication aren’t enough, the next step is radiofrequency catheter ablation. When you undergo this procedure, a catheter will be sent into your heart through your groin area. The sensors at the end of the catheter will be used to etch small scars in specific areas of the heart tissue to stop irregular heartbeats.
As mentioned previously, untreated frequent PVCs can cause complications with heart health so if you’ve developed any of these, they will need to be treated as well.
PVCs don’t cause symptoms in many people so if you’re experiencing them regularly, it could be a sign to see your doctor. It’s always best to get the condition under control before it damages your heart.