Notes

Quit smoking. ...
Improve cholesterol levels. ...
Control high blood pressure. ...
Get active. ...
Follow a heart-healthy diet. ...
Get to a healthy weight. ...
Control diabetes. ...
Manage stress and anger.


Eat fish high in omega-3s, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and trout.
A handful of healthy nuts such as almonds or walnuts will satisfy your hunger and help your heart.
Berries are chock full of heart-healthy phytonutrients and soluble fiber. Try blueberries, strawberries, cranberries or raspberries in cereal or yogurt.
Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and phytoestogens to boost heart health. Take them in ground or milled form to reap the greatest benefit.
Oatmeal: the comfort-food nutrient powerhouse.
Dark beans,such as kidney or black beans, are high in fiber, B-vitamins, minerals and other good stuff. Veggie chili, anyone?
A 4-ounce glass of red wine (up to two for men and one for women per day) can help improve good (HDL) cholesterol levels.
Try marinated tofu in a stir-fry with fresh veggies for a heart-healthy lunch or dinner.
Red, yellow and orange veggies such as carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers and acorn squash are packed with carotenoids, fiber and vitamins to help your heart.
Popeye was right – spinach packs a punch! Use it in sandwiches and salads instead of lettuce.
Fruits such as oranges, cantaloupes and papaya are rich in beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium and fiber.
Tender, sweet asparagus is filled with mighty nutrients such as beta-carotene, folate and fiber, and only provide 25 calories per cup, or 5 calories per large spear.
Tomatoes – even sun-dried varieties in winter months – provide lycopene, vitamin C and alpha- and beta-carotene.
Dark chocolate is good for your heart health, but just be sure that it’s at least 70 percent cocoa.
Crisp, fresh broccoli florets dipped in hummus are a terrific heart-healthy snack with a whopping list of nutrients, including vitamins C and E, potassium, folate, calcium and fiber.

Very common
More than 3 million US cases per year
Can't be cured, but treatment may help
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required

Treatment depends on severity
Most people with isolated PVCs and an otherwise normal heart don't need treatment. PVCs occurring continuously for longer than 30 seconds is a potentially serious cardiac condition known as ventricular tachycardia.
Self-care
Avoidance of stimulants and Stress management
Supportive care
Monitoring and Electrolyte repletion
Specialists
Cardiologist and Primary care provider (PCP)
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more

Causes

Premature ventricular contraction in an ECG (arrows)
Premature ventricular contractions can occur in a healthy person of any age, but are more prevalent in the elderly and in men.[6] 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 (heart attack).[7] Some possible causes of PVCs include:

Adrenaline excess;[5]
High blood calcium;[6]
Cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic or dilated;[6]
Certain medicines such as digoxin, which increases heart contraction or tricyclic antidepressants[6]
Chemical (electrolyte) problems in the blood;[8]
Contact with Carina (trachea/bronchi) when performing medical suctioning stimulates vagus nerve
Drugs such as:[6]
Alcohol;[9]
Caffeine;[10]
Cocaine
Theobromine;[11]
Myocardial infarction;[5]
Hypercapnia (CO2 poisoning);[6]
Hypoxia;[6]
Ischemia;[9]
Lack of sleep/exhaustion;[12]
Magnesium and potassium deficiency;[6]
Mitral valve prolapse;[6]
Myocardial contusion;[6]
Myocarditis;[6]
Sarcoidosis;[13]
Smoking;[9]
Stress;[12]
Thyroid problems;[14]