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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
'Weak' Feeling in Chest before PVC
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'Weak' Feeling in Chest before PVC
by Lori V., Feb 22, 2002 12:00AM
Sometimes right before I have a PVC, I notice a "weak" or "light butterflys" feeling in my chest in the same location that I feel the PVC. This usually alerts me that I am going to have the PVC and shortly thereafter, I do. However, yesterday after taking a walk, I had that same feeling in my chest, but did not have the PVC. The sensation was a bit stronger than usual and I was waiting for the "whopper" to come, but it never did. It also lasted much longer and made me pretty nervous. Can you tell me what causes this sensation before the PVC? I would appreciate any info you can give me. Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Feb 25, 2002 12:00AM
Dear Lori,
I suspect that the "butterfly" feeling you are having is the premature ventricular contraction (PVC) itself. The strong beat that people feel with PVCs is actually the beat following the PVC. The reason for this is that there is a short pause following a PVC which allows more time for filling of blood into the heart. The next beat must be more forceful to pump the extra blood. The force of the stronger beat and the rush of additional blood is the "whopper" that many people associate with PVCs.
I suspect that the "butterfly" feeling you are having is the premature ventricular contraction (PVC) itself. The strong beat that people feel with PVCs is actually the beat following the PVC. The reason for this is that there is a short pause following a PVC which allows more time for filling of blood into the heart. The next beat must be more forceful to pump the extra blood. The force of the stronger beat and the rush of additional blood is the "whopper" that many people associate with PVCs.
