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
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