What does the medical abbreviation PVC mean?

PVC stands for premature ventricular contractions. PVCs are a type of heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, that originates in the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. PVCs can cause a variety of symptoms, including palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. In some cases, PVCs can lead to more serious heart problems, such as heart failure or sudden cardiac death.