Premature ventricular contractions (PVC) are a type of arrhythmia characterized by extra heartbeats that originate in one of the heart’s lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These premature beats disrupt the normal rhythm of the heart, leading to sensations like palpitations or skipped heartbeats.
Occasional PVCs in people without heart disease are generally harmless and often do not require treatment. However, if PVCs occur frequently or cause bothersome symptoms, medical evaluation and management are recommended.
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Causes of PVC
The exact cause of PVC is not always known. Several factors, including heart disease and internal bodily changes, can destabilize the electrical activity in the lower chambers of the heart. In some cases, heart disease or scar tissue can cause misdirected heart signals.
Common causes of PVC include:
- Certain medications, such as decongestants and antihistamines
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Stimulants like caffeine or tobacco
- Increased adrenaline due to exercise or anxiety
- Heart muscle injury caused by disease
Some lifestyle choices and medical conditions can also increase the risk of PVC:
- Caffeine consumption
- Tobacco use
- Use of stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine
- Exercise (in certain types of PVC)
- Anxiety disorders
- Heart attacks
- Heart diseases including congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy
Symptoms of PVC
PVC often causes few or no symptoms. However, the extra beats can cause unusual sensations in the chest, such as:
- Palpitations
- Skipped or missed heartbeats
- Heightened awareness of your heartbeat
When to See a Doctor
If you feel palpitations or sensations of skipped heartbeats, consult a doctor. Your doctor can determine whether these symptoms are due to heart-related conditions or other health issues. Similar symptoms may also result from anxiety, anemia, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or infections.
Complications of PVC
Frequent PVCs or certain PVC patterns may increase the risk of developing irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or weakening of the heart muscle.
Although rare, in people with underlying heart disease, frequent PVCs can lead to dangerous irregular rhythms and sudden cardiac death.
Diagnosing PVC
To diagnose PVC, doctors may perform several tests:
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Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
An ECG detects extra heartbeats and helps identify their pattern and source.
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Holter Monitor
If PVCs occur infrequently, a standard ECG might not detect them. In this case, a doctor may recommend a portable ECG device, such as a Holter monitor.
A Holter monitor records heart activity over 24 hours or longer while the patient goes about daily activities.
Treatment for PVC
Most people with PVC and no heart disease history do not need treatment. However, if PVC occurs frequently or is associated with heart disease, it may cause more serious rhythm problems. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Doctors may recommend the following:
1. Lifestyle Modifications
Eliminating common triggers like caffeine or tobacco can help reduce the number of extra beats and ease symptoms.
2. Medications
Blood pressure medications may be prescribed to reduce premature contractions. Common options include beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers.
Antiarrhythmic drugs may be used if you have a specific type of irregular heartbeat such as ventricular tachycardia or if frequent PVCs interfere with heart function.
3. Radiofrequency Ablation
If lifestyle changes and medications do not control PVC, a procedure called radiofrequency ablation may be recommended.
In this procedure, a catheter is inserted through an artery (usually in the groin) and guided to the heart. Sensors (electrodes) at the catheter tip use heat energy to create small scars in the heart tissue, blocking the electrical signals that cause PVC.
3D Heart Ablation for PVC at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
To treat PVC, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri offers 3D cardiac ablation services. This advanced technique uses 3D imaging to map the heart and accurately identify the source of the arrhythmia, allowing for more precise treatment.
The 3D cardiac ablation procedure is performed by dr. Sebastian Andy Manurung, Sp. JP, Subsp. Ar(K), FIHA, a cardiologist and arrhythmia consultant.
dr. Sebastian completed his medical education at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran. He specialized in cardiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia/National Cardiac Center Harapan Kita and earned his arrhythmia consultant title from the Indonesian Board of Cardiology.
In addition to performing cardiac ablation, Dr. Sebastian is also experienced in pacemaker implantation and routine pacemaker evaluations.
Besides 3D cardiac ablation, the Mandaya Arrhythmia Center is also equipped with the latest PFA cardiac ablation technology, particularly for treating atrial fibrillation.
dr. Sebastian Andy Manurung’s Schedule at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri:
- Tuesday: 16.00 – 20.00 WIB
- Thursday: 16.00 – 20.00 WIB
To simplify your visit, use the Chat feature via WhatsApp, the Book Appointment service, or download the Care Dokter app on Google Play or the App Store to check queue numbers and get complete information.
