Premature Contractions ‒ PACs and PVCs
Have you ever felt as though your heart “skipped a beat”? Most people have this feeling at one time or another.
In reality, your heart may not be skipping a beat. Instead, you may have had a premature contraction.
Occasional premature contractions are normal and are common in children and teenagers. Usually, no cause can be found, and many go away on their own.
Types of premature contractions
A premature contraction can originate in your heart’s upper (atria) or lower (ventricles) chambers. With this “extra” beat, a pause usually causes your next normal heartbeat to be more forceful.
Premature beats that start in your heart’s upper chambers are premature atrial contractions, or PACs. Those that start in the lower chambers are premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs.
Watch an animation of a normal heartbeat.
Causes of premature contractions
They can happen to anyone but are more often found in older adults. They are rare in children born without heart conditions. The most common causes include a drop in the amount of blood going to your heart, injury to the heart or heart structure, and problems with electrolytes and minerals such as potassium. Other common causes are not getting enough sleep, excessive caffeine intake, stress, tobacco use, alcohol use, recreational drug use and some prescription medications (stimulants).
Symptoms of premature contractions
Most people do not have any symptoms at all. But the most common symptoms include heartbeats that occasionally have a lot of force, skip a beat, palpitations (pounding heartbeats) and shortness of breath. Some people may experience anxiety.
Testing and treatment
Infrequently, premature contractions can be caused by disease or injury to the heart. If your health care professional suspects that possibility, they may suggest tests to monitor your heart function.
If you are having symptoms, your health care professional may order:
Your health care professional can recommend a treatment plan once the cause of the premature contractions is identified. They may recommend healthy lifestyle changes, including reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, stopping use of tobacco products, exercising regularly and staying hydrated and well rested. They can sometimes be treated with medications such as beta blockers. In very rare cases, the premature contractions may be treated with a catheter ablation procedure.
