What are the treatments for premature ventricular contractions?
The reasons for treating premature ventricular contractions are: • to relieve symptoms of palpitation; • to treat conditions that cause premature ventricular contractions since many conditions that cause premature ventricular contractions are potentially life threatening; and • to prevent ventricular tachycardia and sudden death. In healthy individuals without heart disease, premature ventricular contractions need no treatment. For relief of palpitations, one may consider the following measures: • stop alcohol and caffeine intake; • stop over-the-counter nasal decongestants that may contain adrenaline such as medications containing pseudoephedrine (certain weight loss supplements may aggravate premature ventricular contractions, and should never be used without consulting with one’s physician); • stop drug abuse such as amphetamines, cocaine; and • stop cigarette smoking. Conditions that can cause premature ventricular contractions can also be potentiality life-threatening. These condi
