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Glite Dictionary
premature ventricular contraction

premature ventricular contraction

1 7.3
A heartbeat that comes early so it feels like a skipped beat
  • noun
  • /ˌpriːməˈtʃʊr ˌvɛnˈtɪkjələr kənˈtrækʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : contracción ventricular prematura
  • I learned that premature ventricular contractions might occur due to stress or caffeine intake, but my doctor reassured me my heart is in good shape.

Examples

  • During the ECG, the technician noted several instances of premature ventricular contractions that could signal an underlying issue.

  • Hyperkalemia from the muscle damage will also create premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), which indicate cardiac rhythm changes.

    Academic text (2004)

  • After monitoring my heart, the doctor explained that I have frequent premature ventricular contractions, which feel like skipped beats.

Synonyms

arrhythmia
vspremature ventricular contraction
  • Specialized
28 7.4

An uneven heartbeat that is faster, slower, or not regular

is a specific early lower chamber contraction within that broader condition
palpitation
vspremature ventricular contraction
17 7.5

A strong, fast, or irregular heartbeat you can feel in your chest

refers to an early lower chamber contraction usually perceived as a skipped beat
PVC
vspremature ventricular contraction
  • Specialized
5 9.1

An extra beat from the lower parts of the heart that makes the heart beat irregular

emphasizes the felt skipped beat and its role as a possible precursor
cardiac arrhythmia
vspremature ventricular contraction
  • Specialized
5 5.1

An irregular heartbeat that is too fast or too slow

is the specific early lower chamber contraction form of that condition
extrasystole
vspremature ventricular contraction
  • Specialized
9.9

An extra heartbeat that comes earlier than the next normal beat

focuses on lower heart chambers rather than on any premature beat
irregularity in heartbeat
vspremature ventricular contraction
  • Specialized
4.1

An uneven beating of the heart that is not steady

is a specific early lower chamber contraction rather than any abnormal rhythm

How Irregular

ventricular fibrillation
  • Specialized
1 7.8
atrial fibrillation
  • Specialized
4 5.2
premature ventricular contraction
  • Specialized
1 7.3

Surface Forms

premature ventricular contraction singular
premature ventricular contractions plural

Morphology

premature + ventricular + contraction

The term is directly compositional: 'premature' = early, 'ventricular' = relating to the heart's ventricles, and 'contraction' = a muscle shortening, so the phrase literally denotes an early contraction of the ventricles (i.e. an irregular/extra heartbeat). This follows standard medical naming patterns and has clear cognates across many languages, so a learner who knows the constituent words can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Premature ventricular contraction literally names what happens in the heart: premature means 'too early', ventricular refers to the heart's lower chamber, and contraction means a squeeze, so it is a squeeze of the lower chamber that happens too early. So, people feel it as a 'skipped beat' or an irregular heartbeat, and doctors watch it because it can sometimes lead to more serious heart rhythm problems.