Patient education: Ventricular premature beats (The Basics)

What are ventricular premature beats? — 

Ventricular premature beats, or "VPBs," are extra beats that happen before a normal heartbeat.

VPBs are caused by a problem with the heart's built-in electrical system, called the "cardiac conduction system" (figure 1).

To understand this problem, it helps to know the parts of the heart. The heart is divided into 4 sections, called "chambers." VPBs happen when the heart's lower chambers, called the "ventricles," send abnormal electrical signals. These signals cause the extra beats.

VPBs are common. They can happen in healthy people. They can also happen in people who have different types of heart disease. VPBs are very common after a heart attack.

What are the symptoms of VPBs? — 

Most people with VPBs do not have any symptoms. A doctor or nurse might find VPBs when they listen to the heart during an exam. Or they might find VPBs if they do a heart test called an electrocardiogram, or "ECG."

If you do have symptoms, they can include:

●Feeling like the heart is beating hard, beating fast, or skipping a beat – These heartbeat changes are called "palpitations."

●Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

●A pounding feeling in the neck

You might be more likely to notice VPBs when you lie quietly in bed at night or lie on your left side.

Is there a test for VPBs? — 

Yes. The doctor or nurse will do an exam and ask about your symptoms.

They might also do these tests:

●ECG – This measures the electrical activity in your heart (figure 2).

●Holter monitor – This is a small, portable machine you wear that records all your heart's electrical activity over 1 or 2 days (figure 3).

VPBs are common, but they can also be a sign of a more serious heart condition. If you have VPBs often or the doctor thinks you could have a specific heart condition, they might order other tests.

How are VPBs treated? — 

Treatment depends on what is causing the VPBs, how often they occur, and whether they cause symptoms. If you do not have symptoms, you might not need any treatment. If the VPBs are caused by another heart condition, doctors will treat that condition.

Possible treatments include:

●Medicines to control the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat

●"Ablation" – The doctor uses heat (called "radiofrequency ablation") or cold (called "cryoablation") to destroy the small part of the heart that is sending the abnormal electrical signals. You might have this treatment if medicines do not control your VPBs.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call your doctor or nurse if your heart often seems to:

●Beat fast or hard

●Skip beats

More on this topic

Patient education: Palpitations (The Basics)
Patient education: Overview of heart arrhythmias (The Basics)
Patient education: ECG and stress test (The Basics)
Patient education: Ambulatory heart monitoring (The Basics)
Patient education: Radiofrequency ablation (The Basics)
Patient education: What can go wrong after a heart attack? (The Basics)