Premature Ventricular Contraction - Causes

Causes

Premature ventricular contractions can occur in a healthy person of any age, but are more prevalent in the elderly and in men. They frequently occur spontaneously with no known cause. Heart Rate Turbulence (HRT) is a phenomenon representing the return to equilibrium of the heart rate after a PVC. HRT parameters correlate significantly with mortality after myocardial infarction.

Some possible causes of PVCs include:

• Ischemia;
• Certain medicines such as digoxin, which increases heart contraction
• Myocarditis;
• Cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic or dilated;
• Myocardial contusion;
• Hypoxia;
• Hypercapnia (CO2 poisoning);
• Sarcoidosis;
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Smoking;
• Alcohol;
• Drugs such as cocaine;
• Caffeine;
• Theobromine;
• Tricyclic antidepressants;
• Magnesium and potassium deficiency;
• Calcium excess;
• Thyroid problems;
• Chemical (electrolyte) problems in the blood;
• Heart attack;
• Adrenaline excess;
• Lack of sleep/exhaustion;
• Stress