Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that begin in one of the heart’s two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These extra beats disrupt the regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing a sensation of a fluttering or a skipped beat in the chest.

Premature ventricular contractions are a common type of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are also called:

• Premature ventricular complexes
• Ventricular premature beats
• Ventricular extrasystoles

Occasional premature ventricular contractions in people without heart disease usually aren’t a concern and likely don’t need treatment. You might need treatment if the premature ventricular contractions are very frequent or bothersome, or if you have an underlying heart condition.

Premature ventricular contractions often cause few or no symptoms. But the extra beats can cause unusual sensations in the chest, such as:

• Fluttering
• Pounding or jumping
• Skipped beats or missed beats
• Increased awareness of the heartbeat

If you feel fluttering, pounding or a sensation of skipped heartbeats in your chest, talk to your health care provider. A health care provider can determine if the sensations are due to a heart condition or other health concern. Similar signs and symptoms can be caused by many other conditions such as anxiety, low red blood cell count (anemia), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and infections.