In medical terms, VPC stands for Ventricular Premature Complexes.
Understanding Ventricular Premature Complexes (VPCs)
VPCs, also known as Premature Ventricular Complexes/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 feeling of a skipped beat or palpitations. According to the provided reference, VPCs are ectopic beats that originate from within the ventricles.
Here's a breakdown:
- Ectopic Beats: Heartbeats that originate outside the heart's normal pacing system (the sinoatrial node).
- Ventricles: The two lower chambers of the heart responsible for pumping blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.
VPCs are common and can occur in various clinical scenarios and across diverse populations. While occasional VPCs are usually harmless, frequent or symptomatic VPCs may indicate an underlying heart condition and warrant further investigation.
