Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) & Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs)

Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) & Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs)

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    • What are premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and premature atrial contractions (PACs)?

    Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra, abnormal heartbeats that begin in the ventricles, or lower pumping chambers, and disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a skipped beat or palpitations. PVCs — also called also called premature ventricular complexes, ventricular premature beats and extrasystoles — are very common and usually harmless.

    Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are premature heartbeats that are similar to PVCs, but occur in the upper chambers of the heart, an area known as the atria.

    PACs do not typically cause damage to the heart and can occur in healthy individuals with no known heart disease.

    What are the symptoms and causes of PVCs?

    PVCs occur when ventricle contractions beat sooner than the next expected regular heartbeat, often interrupting the normal order of pumping. The extra beat is followed by a stronger heartbeat, which creates the feeling of a skipped beat or a flutter. These extra beats are usually less effective in pumping blood throughout the body.

    PVCs can be caused or triggered by:

    • Heart disease or scarring, which can interfere with the normal electrical impulses
    • Low blood oxygen, which could happen if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pneumonia
    • Some medications, including decongestants
    • Elevated levels of adrenaline, which could be caused by caffeine, exercise or anxiety
    • High blood pressure
    • Alcohol
    • Anemia
    • Tobacco use

    What are the symptoms of PACs?

    Patients with PACs often do not experience symptoms and are diagnosed incidentally. Those who do experience symptoms often complain of a skipped heartbeat or extra beat, also known as palpitations. These are caused by the contraction coming prematurely in the heart’s cycle, resulting in an ineffective pulse or heartbeat. These symptoms frequently occur at night or during relaxation, when the heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinus node, slows down. PAC patients may also experience dizziness or chest pain.

     

    Appointment Information

    Call us at 888-287-1082 to schedule an appointment with a U-M Cardiovascular Center physician, get a prescription refill, or request to speak with your nurse or visit the Make a Cardiovascular Appointment page.

    How are PVCs and PACs diagnosed?

    PVCs and PACs may be diagnosed during an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a routine heart test, or through a portable ECG such as a Holter monitor, a portable device worn for a period of time to capture abnormal heart rhythms.

    How are PVCs and PACs treated?

    In those with healthy hearts, occasional PVCs are harmless and usually resolve on their own without treatment. Some PVC symptoms can be managed through lifestyle changes — limiting caffeine, tobacco and alcohol and stress, for example.

    Treatment for patients who experience PVCs on a regular basis includes medication such as beta blockers and calcium blockers. For patients whose symptoms are severe, a catheter ablation may be recommended. During catheter ablation, an electrophysiologist uses radiofrequency energy to cauterize the area of the heart where the PVCs originate.

    Treatment for symptomatic PAC patients includes medications such as beta blockers or calcium blockers.

    Locations
    • Cardiology Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 2
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Cardiology Clinic | Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 2
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Electrophysiology Services | Cardiovascular Center 1425 E Ann St
      Floor 3 Reception C
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5856       Get Directions

    Patient Resources

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Kelly Arps, MD

    Kelly Arps, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Cardiac Electrophysiology, Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease

    Michigan Photo

    Frank Matthias Bogun, MD

    Professor

    Cardiac Electrophysiology, Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease

    Apurba Kent Chakrabarti, MD

    Apurba Kent Chakrabarti, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Aman Chugh, MD

    Aman Chugh, MD

    Professor

    Cardiac Electrophysiology, Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease

    Thomas Christopher Crawford, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Cardiac Electrophysiology, Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease

    Amrish Deshmukh, MD

    Amrish Deshmukh, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Hamid Ghanbari, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Cardiac Electrophysiology, Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease

    Michael Ghannam, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Cardiac Electrophysiology, Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease

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    Emma Hegwood, DO

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Krit Jongnarangsin, MD

    Krit Jongnarangsin, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Cardiac Electrophysiology, Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease

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    Providers

     Search for a U-M Health provider     Caitlin Sommer Boyak, NP

    Caitlin Sommer Boyak, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner

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    Mellissa Katrin Brieger, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

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    Erin Christine Judge, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner

    Caroline Michelle Lawson, NP

    Caroline Michelle Lawson, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner

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    Tiffany Lee Luke, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner

    Nimita Mahadev Mehta, NP

    Nimita Mahadev Mehta, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner

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    Emmeline Nierra Mocorro-Ma, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner

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    Theresa Maureen Montney-Dowell, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner

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    Eryn Kyle Smith, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

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    Meredith Victoria Smith, NP

    Advanced Practice Nurse

    Nurse Practitioner

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