Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC)

What causes premature ventricular contractions?

Typically, when your heart beats, electrical signals start in the sinus node, which sits in the upper right of your heart and serves as a natural pacemaker. When you have PVCs, the electrical signals come from the ventricles. They usually occur earlier than your natural heartbeat, briefly throwing off your heart’s natural rhythm.

Doctors don’t always know what causes electrical signals to start in the ventricles, and often, they occur for no obvious reason. Still, certain substances, medications and health conditions can interfere with cells in your heart’s lower chambers, changing how signals travel through your heart. Possible causes include:

• Caffeine
• Cardiomyopathy
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart failure
• Heart valve disease
• High blood pressure
• Imbalances of electrolytes, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium
• Misuse of alcohol or drugs
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Myocarditis
• Over-the-counter medications that contain pseudoephedrine
• Some heart rhythm medications
• Stress
• Certain antidepressants, such as tricyclics

Premature ventricular contractions risk factors

While many people experience occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), taking medications or having conditions that may cause PVCs can increase your risk of having these irregular heartbeats. Certain demographic factors can also make PVCs more likely.

The more you know about what may be contributing to these irregular beats, the better equipped you are to make small changes that can have a big impact.

Risk factors include:

Diagnosing premature ventricular contractions

Diagnosing PVCs starts with listening to your symptoms and understanding your health history. From there, your provider may use tests to catch these irregular heartbeats in action and determine how often they occur and whether they're affecting your heart's function.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is key to deciding if treatment is needed and what type of care will help you feel your best.

Premature ventricular contraction treatments

Many people with PVCs don’t need treatment, especially if they have no symptoms or underlying issues. But when PVCs are frequent or bothersome, affect your quality of life or are related to an underlying heart condition, treatment can help manage symptoms and protect your heart.

Your doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes, medications or procedures to restore a healthier heart rhythm and prevent complications.

Frequently asked questions