PVC Detection — Apple Watch ECG Analysis
Detect Premature Ventricular Contractions directly from your Apple Watch ECG recordings. HeartLab identifies PVCs automatically with clinical-grade accuracy.
What Are Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)?
PVCs are extra heartbeats originating from the ventricles. They occur when the ventricles contract prematurely before the heart's normal electrical signal arrives from the atria. On an ECG, PVCs appear as wide, bizarre-looking QRS complexes that occur earlier than expected, usually followed by a compensatory pause. PVCs are among the most common cardiac arrhythmias, affecting up to 75% of healthy individuals at some point. While most PVCs are benign, frequent PVCs (more than 10-15% of all heartbeats) may indicate underlying cardiac conditions and warrant medical evaluation.
How HeartLab Detects PVCs
HeartLab uses the Pan-Tompkins algorithm combined with advanced morphology analysis to detect PVCs in your Apple Watch ECG recordings. The app analyzes R-R intervals to identify premature beats, then examines the QRS complex width and shape to confirm ventricular origin. Unlike the built-in Apple Watch ECG app which only detects atrial fibrillation (AFib), HeartLab can identify individual PVCs, count their frequency, and detect patterns like bigeminy and trigeminy. All processing happens entirely on your iPhone — your ECG data never leaves your device.
Why PVC Detection Matters
Understanding your PVC burden is crucial for heart health management. While occasional PVCs are normal, patterns of frequent PVCs can indicate stress, electrolyte imbalances, or structural heart disease. HeartLab helps you track PVC frequency over time with detailed trends, generate professional PDF reports you can share with your cardiologist, and receive AI-powered explanations of your ECG findings in plain language. Early detection and monitoring of PVCs can lead to better outcomes and peace of mind.
FAQ
Can Apple Watch detect PVCs?
The built-in Apple Watch ECG app only checks for atrial fibrillation (AFib) and sinus rhythm. It cannot detect PVCs. However, HeartLab analyzes the same Apple Watch ECG recordings and can detect PVCs, PACs, and other arrhythmia patterns that the native app misses.
Are PVCs dangerous?
Most PVCs are harmless and occur in healthy individuals. However, frequent PVCs (more than 10,000 per day or over 10-15% of heartbeats) may need medical evaluation. HeartLab helps you monitor PVC frequency and share data with your doctor.
How accurate is HeartLab's PVC detection?
HeartLab uses the Pan-Tompkins algorithm, a gold-standard method in clinical ECG analysis. While not a replacement for clinical-grade 12-lead ECGs, HeartLab provides reliable PVC detection from single-lead Apple Watch recordings.
Do I need extra hardware to detect PVCs?
No. HeartLab works with your existing Apple Watch — no extra devices needed. Unlike KardiaMobile ($69-$199 hardware), HeartLab analyzes ECG recordings already captured by your Apple Watch.
Get Advanced ECG Analysis on Your Wrist
HeartLab delivers clinical-grade ECG analysis directly from your Apple Watch — arrhythmia detection, HRV analysis, and professional reports.
