OverviewWhat are premature ventricular contractions?Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a type of irregular heartbeat. They occur when the electrical signal that starts your heartbeat comes from one of your bottom two heart chambers (ventricles). The signal typically starts in the top right chamber (atrium). Show
PVCs are not always a problem. But if they repeatedly happen for months or years, they can cause a type of cardiomyopathy, or heart muscle weakening. PVCs usually go away with medication or other minimally invasive treatments. Some people call premature ventricular contractions “pre ventricular contractions.” Healthcare providers may also refer to them as:
How do electrical signals control your heartbeat?Typically, in your heart conduction system, a cluster of cells in your right atrium called the sinoatrial (SA) node sends out the first electrical signal of a heartbeat. That signal moves through your heart and travels to your left and right ventricles. It tells your heart to contract. In PVCs, that first signal starts in one of your ventricles. As a result, the signal travels differently through your heart and causes an irregular heartbeat. Sometimes, a PVC may feel like your heart “skipped a beat.” Who is most likely to have premature ventricular contractions?PVCs can happen in anyone, but they’re more common in older adults and those with heart disease. Your risk for PVCs also increases if you have:
How common are premature ventricular contractions?PVCs are quite common. Up to 75% of people experience them. Are PVCs something to worry about?Many people don’t have any symptoms or health problems associated with PVCs. But if you do experience symptoms, speak with your healthcare provider. You may need treatment to prevent heart problems such as cardiomyopathy. Are PVCs life-threatening?PVCs typically aren’t life-threatening. But they may damage your heart muscle if they repeatedly occur for a long period. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms of premature ventricular contractions?Many people don’t experience any symptoms of a PVC. If you have symptoms, they’re usually minor and may include:
If you have another heart condition, you may notice that a PVC causes shortness of breath (dyspnea). You may also notice more symptoms as you have more PVCs. What do premature ventricular contractions feel like?Many people describe premature ventricular contractions as a heart flutter and skipped beat. But you may not feel any symptoms at all. Most people don’t feel a premature ventricular contraction. What causes premature ventricular contractions?Several conditions or factors can trigger a premature ventricular contraction, including:
Diagnosis and TestsHow are premature ventricular contractions diagnosed?Your healthcare provider asks you about your symptoms and health history and performs a physical exam. They may listen to your heartbeat with a stethoscope to check for signs of irregularities. Usually, the first test is an electrocardiogram (EKG). An EKG measures your heart rate and evaluates the electrical signals in your heart. Your provider usually can see an arrhythmia or extra beats clearly on an EKG. Sometimes, you may wear a Holter monitor or another type of heart monitor to measure your heart’s electrical activity over several days. Measuring your heart rhythm and heart rate over a few days can help detect infrequent PVCs. What tests can diagnose causes of PVCs?Your provider may recommend other tests if you have many PVCs or have had them for a long time. These tests check for root causes of PVCs, including other heart problems. You may have:
Management and TreatmentHow are premature ventricular contractions treated?People who have infrequent PVCs may not need any treatment. Treatment for underlying heart conditions may decrease the frequency of PVCs. For example, you may take medicines to reduce blood pressure or lower your heart rate. These medicines may also reduce how often you experience PVCs. Sometimes, your provider offers specific PVC treatment. You only need treatment specifically for a PVC if you have frequent irregular heartbeats that could damage your heart muscle. Treatment may include:
PreventionHow can I prevent premature ventricular contractions?There’s no way to prevent premature ventricular contractions. But you may increase your overall heart health by:
How do I know if I’m at risk of premature ventricular contractions?Several factors can increase your risk of premature ventricular contractions, including:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat is the outlook for premature ventricular contractions?Generally, premature ventricular contractions have a positive outlook. They don’t increase the risk of health complications in most people. Your risk of health complications, including a shorter lifespan, increases if you have other health problems or a history of heart attacks. Living WithWhat questions should I ask my healthcare provider?If you have premature ventricular contractions or think you could, you may also want to ask your healthcare provider:
When should I go to the emergency room?PVCs aren’t usually an emergency. Call 911 and go to your nearest emergency center if you experience other symptoms along with PVCs, including:
Frequently Asked QuestionsCan a PVC cause sudden death?PVCs can increase your risk of sudden cardiac death, especially if they occur frequently. According to one study, experiencing more than 12 PVCs daily increases your risk of sudden cardiac death. However, they don’t lead to sudden cardiac death in most people. Can other health conditions cause similar symptoms to PVCs?Yes. Heart fluttering, pounding and other symptoms may be signs of other health conditions such as:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Premature ventricular contractions are a type of irregular heartbeat. They occur when the electrical signal that starts your heartbeat comes from your lower heart chambers instead of your top heart chamber. A PVC often feels like a skipped heartbeat or heart flutter. However, most people experience no symptoms at all. PVCs aren’t dangerous in most people. Your risk of PVC complications increases if you have other health conditions, including heart disease. What is occasional ventricular premature complexes?Overview. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that begin in one of the heart's two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These extra beats disrupt the regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing a sensation of a fluttering or a skipped beat in the chest.
Is it normal to have occasional PVCs?In those with healthy hearts, occasional PVCs are harmless and usually resolve on their own without treatment. Some PVC symptoms can be managed through lifestyle changes — limiting caffeine, tobacco and alcohol and stress, for example.
What is sinus bradycardia with PVC?Sinus bradycardia is a slow, regular heartbeat. It happens when your heart's pacemaker, the sinus node, generates heartbeats less than 60 times in a minute. For some people, such as healthy young adults and athletes, sinus bradycardia can be normal and a sign of cardiovascular health.
When should you worry about PVCs on the ECG?PVCs become more of a concern if they happen frequently. “If more than 10% to 15% of a person's heartbeats in 24 hours are PVCs, that's excessive,” Bentz said. The more PVCs occur, the more they can potentially cause a condition called cardiomyopathy (a weakened heart muscle).
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Sinus bradycardia with occasional premature ventricular complexes
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