premature-ventricular-contr : Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

What is Premature Ventricular Contraction?

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra, abnormal heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These extra beats disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a flip-flop or skipped beat in your chest.

What causes Premature Ventricular Contraction?

Healthy people of any age can experience PVCs. In most cases of occasional PVCs the underlying cause cannot be identified. PVCs that occur frequently or for longer periods of time are more likely to be related to heart disease, an injury to the heart or other, non-cardiac conditions such as a chemical imbalance in the body. Certain medications, alcohol, illegal drugs and high levels of adrenaline due to stress, exercise or caffeine also can cause PVCs.

What are the symptoms of Premature Ventricular Contraction?

Premature ventricular contractions often cause no symptoms. But you may feel an odd sensation in your chest, such as:

• Flip-flops
• Fluttering
• Pounding or jumping
• Skipped beats or missed beats
• Increased awareness of your heartbeat

How is Premature Ventricular Contraction diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects that you have premature ventricular contractions, you may have an electrocardiogram (ECG). This test can detect the extra beats, identify their pattern and their source, and look for any underlying heart disease.

Electrocardiogram :-  Depending on the frequency and timing of your premature ventricular contractions, different types of ECG testing options are available.

• Standard ECG
• Holter monitor.
• Event recorder
• Exercise stress ECG

How is Premature Ventricular Contraction treated?

In some cases, if you have underlying heart disease that could lead to more serious rhythm problems, you may need to make efforts to avoid triggers or perhaps take medications.

• Lifestyle changes. Eliminating common PVC triggers — such as caffeine or tobacco — can decrease the frequency and severity of your symptoms.
• Medications. Beta blockers — which are often used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease — can suppress premature contractions. Other medications, such as calcium channel blockers, or anti-arrhythmic drugs, such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) or flecainide, also may be used if you have ventricular tachycardia or very frequent premature ventricular contractions that interfere with your heart's function, causing severe symptoms.
• Radiofrequency catheter ablation. For premature ventricular contractions that don't respond to lifestyle changes or medications, your doctor may recommend ablation therapy. This procedure uses radiofrequency energy to destroy the area of heart tissue that is causing your irregular contractions.