The heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. Premature ventricular contractions occur in the ventricles. These contractions are premature heartbeats and occur before regular heartbeats. There are various premature ventricular contractions causes with the main cause being the action of an ectopic heartbeat pacemaker in the ventricle. These abnormal heartbeats disrupt regular heart rhythms.
Symptoms of premature ventricular contractions causes
The most common symptom of PVCs is a flip-flop/a fluttering feeling within the chest cavity. Other signs that can indicate the condition are such as skipped beats increased heartbeat awareness, and increased palpitations. It is worth noting that, in reality, the heart never misses a beat but skipped beats are noticed when a heartbeat comes sooner than normal. This, in turn, results in a feeling of a more forceful beat.
Causes of PVCs
There are no exact premature ventricular contractions causes. Occasionally, the condition comes about as a result of an injury or a disease attack to the heart. Other non-cardiac conditions like chemical imbalance and deficit in the body can also trigger the condition. Research studies have identified that illegal drugs, alcohol abuse, and certain medications may also lead to the occurrence of the condition. It is important to note that high adrenaline levels in the body due to stress, excessive caffeine use and exercise can also be a cause of PVCs.
Who is susceptible to PVCs?
Nearly everyone experiences premature ventricular contractions at one point in their lives. However, the condition is very common in children and teenagers as well as in athletes and people who exercise rigorously. People who come from family lines with a history of heart conditions and cardiac arrhythmias have higher risks of suffering from the condition. Additionally, older people and individuals on medications of terminal illness such as diabetes and cancer are more susceptible to suffering from this heart problem.
Prevention and treatment of PVCs
The prevention and treatment of PVCs is mostly dependent on the underlying causes of the condition. For people with heart, conditions and complications such as heartbeat rhythm problems, treatment of the condition is only possible by treating existing heart complications. Premature ventricular contractions that occur from time to time due to anxiety or effects of rigorous exercises do not need to be treated. This is because such contractions are harmless and do not pose any risk to the normal functioning of the heart.