Ventricular Ectopy
Ventricular ectopy refers to heartbeats that originate from the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) rather than from the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is the heart's natural pacemaker. These are also called premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or ventricular premature beats.
PVCs are very common and often harmless. Many people experience them at some point. They may feel like a skipped beat, a flip-flop in the chest, or a pounding sensation.
Symptoms
- Fluttering or jumpy feeling in the chest
- Pounding or jumping heartbeat
- Skipped heartbeat
- Increased awareness of your heartbeat
Causes
- Certain medications
- Alcohol or illicit drug use
- Increased levels of adrenaline due to caffeine, exercise, or anxiety
- Injury to the heart muscle from disease
- Changes in the heart's structure
- Low potassium levels (hypokalemia)
- Low oxygen levels (hypoxia)
Treatment
If you have no underlying heart disease and your PVCs are infrequent, you may not need treatment. If PVCs are frequent or causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend avoiding triggers, medications such as beta-blockers, or catheter ablation.
Back to Medical Terms Glossary
We Offer Same Day Appointments!
407-645-1847