Erlanger Logo

Premature Heartbeats

Also known as premature ventricular contractions (PVC) or ventricular premature beats (VPB)

Premature heartbeats start with an electrical impulse that arrives too soon in one of the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. The ventricles respond by contracting before the normal impulse from the atria arrives, creating the feeling of an extra heartbeat. If untreated, a premature heartbeat could trigger a longer lasting arrhythmia, especially if you have heart disease. Premature heartbeats can be caused by caffeine and some medications.

Symptoms

  • Palpitation
  • Awareness of the heart beating out of rhythm or fluttering (palpitation)

The electrophysiologists at Erlanger Cardiology are leaders - and international physician trainers - in the diagnosis and treatment of premature heartbeats and other heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias). Contact us to learn more.

Erlanger Cardiology
Erlanger Medical Mall
979 East 3rd Street
Suite C-520
Chattanooga, TN 37403
423-778-5661