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FOR PATIENTS & FAMILIES
Premature beats (PACs & PVCs) — Take-home summary
The essentials to keep, discuss, and use between visits.
Understand your condition
Premature beats are early heartbeats. PACs begin in an upper chamber; PVCs begin in a lower chamber. A skipped beat or thump can occur. Symptoms alone do not reveal how many early beats you have.
Everyday care
- Keep a brief symptom log and share any EKG recordings with your care team.
- Support sleep, appropriate hydration, and avoidance of tobacco or recreational stimulants.
- Keep planned monitoring and follow-up; frequent PVCs sometimes need treatment.
When to contact your care team
Contact your care team for new or increasingly frequent palpitations, reduced activity, or troublesome symptoms.
When to call 911
Call 911 for chest pressure, severe trouble breathing, fainting, or severe dizziness with palpitations. Do not drive yourself.
Questions for your next visit
- How frequent are my early beats?
- Is my heart function normal?
- Do I need monitoring or treatment?
Reviewed October 11, 2026. This summary supports your personal care plan.