This is a health condition that causes extra heartbeats in one of the ventricles (two lower pumping chambers of the heart). Thus, a disruption of the regular heart rhythm happens causing a fluttering or skipped-beat sensation that you can notice in the chest. While this condition is called premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and is a common arrhythmia type, it is also called in the following ways. For example:
- Premature ventricular complexes
- Ventricular premature beats
- Ventricular extrasystoles
Some people may experience PVCs without any heart diseases and for a short term, which is not a concern meaning do not require treatment. However, others experience these extra heartbeats too frequently, are bothersome, or have an underlying heart disease. In such cases, treatment is required.
Symptoms
In most cases, this condition causes little or even no symptoms. However, when they occur, you may notice the following feelings in the chest. For example:
- Fluttering
- Jumping or pounding
- Skipped or missed beats
- Elevated heartbeats awareness
If you notice any of the previous sensations in the chest, you should visit a doctor for a diagnosis. However, there are other conditions that may cause these symptoms. For example anemia (reduced red blood cell count), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), some infections, anxiety, and others.
Causes
Usually, to understand better the cause of PVCs (premature ventricular contractions), you should know how the heart typically beats.
The heart contains four chambers, the upper two (called atria) and the lower two (called ventricles). Thus, the heartbeats are controlled by a natural pacemaker (called the sinus node) located in the right upper atria. It works by sending electrical signals that normally begin each heartbeat. Moreover, electrical signals also move across the atria and cause the muscles of the heart to contract (squeeze) and pump blood into the lower chambers (ventricles).
After that, these electrical signals reach the cluster of cells called the atrioventricular (AV) node and then slow. This delay helps the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) fill with blood and then the blood goes to the lungs and the rest of the body. In a healthy heart, 60 to 100 beats per minute is considered a normal heart rate.
People with PVCs experience irregular heartbeats that start in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) causing the heart to beat sooner than it should.
However, not every time it is possible to determine the exact cause of premature ventricular contractions. There are some things that may cause the cells in the ventricles electrically unstable including heart disease or scarring of the heart tissue. Check below some potential causes of PVCs:
- Misuse of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs
- Stimulants (such as tobacco and caffeine)
- Some medicines (such as antihistamines, decongestants, and others)
- Elevated Adrenaline levels in the body caused by anxiety or exercise
- Heart muscle injuries
Risk Factors
Check below some factors and lifestyle choices that may increase your risk of developing premature ventricular contractions:
- Caffeine
- Tobacco products
- Alcohol
- Stimulants (including cocaine, methamphetamines, and others)
- Anxiety
- Myocardial infarction
- Exercise
- Heart disease (such as congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and others).
What Are The Possible Complications of Premature Ventricular Contractions?
People who frequently develop PVCs may experience arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms) or cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle). In rare cases, when PVCs happen along with heart diseases may lead to dangerous irregular heartbeats and sudden cardiac death.
Diagnosis
First, doctors will listen to your heart using a stethoscope and ask some questions about your lifestyle habits and medical history. They also may perform additional tests to confirm PVCs and exclude other conditions that cause similar symptoms. For example:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – This is a quick and painless test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It involves electrodes that are placed usually on the chest but sometimes may be placed on the arms and legs.
- Exercise stress test – This test involves heart activity measurement while you walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. An exercise stress test helps doctors understand premature ventricular contraction triggers.
- Holter Monitor – This is a small device used to record the electrical activity of the heart during daily activities.
- Event monitor – This monitor is worn for approximately 1 month until arrhythmia or PVC symptoms happen.
These portable monitors usually are recommended for people who have PVCs less frequently and standard tests cannot identify them.
Treatment
Approximately all people with PVCs do not have heart disease and do not need treatment. However, premature ventricular contractions in people with heart disease may cause serious health problems (such as arrhythmia). Check below some treatments:
- Lifestyle changes – Determine and eliminate PVC triggers (such as tobacco products or caffeine). It can help reduce the frequency of extra heartbeats and reduce the symptoms.
- Medicines – Doctors usually recommend antihypertensives for people with frequent PVCs. These medicines help reduce premature ventricular contractions. They may also recommend beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and medications to control irregular heartbeats (also called ventricular tachycardia).
- Radiofrequency catheter ablation – This treatment option is often recommended when other treatments (such as lifestyle changes and medicines) do not work. It involves either one or more flexible tubes inserted into an artery (in most cases in the groin) and then guided to the heart muscle. Thereafter, physicians use heat (radiofrequency) energy to make small scars on the heart, restoring heart rhythm.
Home Remedies
The following tips may help you lessen the symptoms and prevent PVCs. For example:
- Identify triggers and try to avoid them
- Limit or avoid substances that cause PVCs including illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine
- Manage stress and other existing health conditions including anxiety, diabetes, and others.
Frequent Asked Questions
Are premature ventricular contractions dangerous?
Generally, most people with PVCs do not experience any problems or complications. However, if you have a heart disease and experience premature ventricular contractions, it may lead to some life-threatening results such as arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, and others. Talk with your healthcare professional for more details.
Can anxiety cause premature ventricular contractions?
Yes, stressful life events and anxiety are considered triggers of PVCs. Some people may experience these extra heartbeats due to certain medicines or electrolyte imbalances.
What are the best medications for premature ventricular contractions?
The most effective medicines against PVCs are beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. However, physicians additionally may recommend some medicines to control heart rhythm in people with ventricular tachycardia. If you have any other questions, ask your doctor.
