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What Causes Skipped Heart Beats?
I have completed a 48 hour heart monitoring with electrodes because of skipped beats. My doctor indicated that I have PVCs, but she did not indicate any seriousness to this condition. I have emailed her and asked her many questions regarding how dangerous are these, when does it become serious and dangerous, is it stress related, diet related and what can I do to eliminate them or at least feel comfortable that they are not serious.
Thu, 22 Nov 2018
Hi,
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's ventricles.
These extra beats disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a fluttering or a skipped beat in your chest.
Premature ventricular contractions are common — they occur in many people.
If you have occasional premature ventricular contractions, but you're otherwise healthy, there's probably no reason for concern and no need for treatment.
If you have frequent premature ventricular contractions or underlying heart disease, you might need treatment.
The reasons aren't always clear. Certain triggers, heart diseases or changes in the body can make cells in the ventricles electrically unstable.
Heart disease or scarring may also cause electrical impulses to be misrouted.
Premature ventricular contractions can be associated with:
1. Certain medications, including decongestants and antihistamines
2. Alcohol or illegal drugs
3. Increased levels of adrenaline in the body that may be caused by caffeine, tobacco, exercise or anxiety
4. Injury to the heart muscle from coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, high blood pressure or heart failure.
Please talk to a cardiac physician if you have still doubts.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Prabhash Verma, General & Family Physician
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's ventricles.
These extra beats disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a fluttering or a skipped beat in your chest.
Premature ventricular contractions are common — they occur in many people.
If you have occasional premature ventricular contractions, but you're otherwise healthy, there's probably no reason for concern and no need for treatment.
If you have frequent premature ventricular contractions or underlying heart disease, you might need treatment.
The reasons aren't always clear. Certain triggers, heart diseases or changes in the body can make cells in the ventricles electrically unstable.
Heart disease or scarring may also cause electrical impulses to be misrouted.
Premature ventricular contractions can be associated with:
1. Certain medications, including decongestants and antihistamines
2. Alcohol or illegal drugs
3. Increased levels of adrenaline in the body that may be caused by caffeine, tobacco, exercise or anxiety
4. Injury to the heart muscle from coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, high blood pressure or heart failure.
Please talk to a cardiac physician if you have still doubts.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Prabhash Verma, General & Family Physician
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