Health Encyclopedia

Ectopic heartbeat

Definition

Ectopic heartbeats are changes in a heartbeat that is otherwise normal. These changes lead to extra or skipped heartbeats. There is often not a clear cause for these changes. They are common.

The two most common types of ectopic heartbeats are:

Premature ventricular contractions (PVC)
Premature atrial contractions (PAC)

Alternative Names

PVB (premature ventricular beat); Premature beats; PVC (premature ventricular complex/contraction); Extrasystole; Premature supraventricular contractions; PAC; Premature atrial contraction; Abnormal heartbeat

Causes

Ectopic heartbeats are sometimes seen with:

Changes in the blood, such as a low potassium level (hypokalemia)
Decrease in blood supply to the heart
When the heart is enlarged or structurally abnormal

Ectopic beats may be caused or made worse by smoking, alcohol use, caffeine, stimulant medicines, and some street drugs.

Ectopic heartbeats are rare in children without heart disease that was present at birth (congenital). Most extra heartbeats in children are PACs. These are often benign.

In adults, ectopic heartbeats are common. They are most often due to PACs or PVCs. Your health care provider should look into the cause when they are frequent. Treatment is directed at symptoms and the underlying cause.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Feeling your heartbeat (palpitations)
Feeling like your heart stopped or skipped a beat
Feeling of occasional, forceful beats

Note: There may be no symptoms.

Exams and Tests

A physical exam may show an occasional uneven pulse. If the ectopic heartbeats do not occur very often, your provider may not find them during a physical exam.

Blood pressure is most often normal.

An ECG will be done. Often, no further testing is needed when your ECG is normal and the symptoms are not severe or worrisome.

If your doctor wants to know more about your heart rhythm, they may order:

A monitor that you wear that records and stores your heart rhythm for 24 to 48 hours (Holter monitor)
A recording device that you wear, and records your heart rhythm whenever you feel a skipped beat

An echocardiogram may be ordered if your doctor suspects problems with the size or structure of your heart are the cause.

Treatment

The following may help reduce ectopic heartbeats for some people:

Limiting caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco
Regular exercise for people who are inactive

For the most part, ectopic heartbeats do not need to be treated. The condition is only treated if your symptoms are severe or if the extra beats occur very often.

The cause of the heartbeats, if it can be found, may also need to be treated.

Outlook (Prognosis)

In some cases, ectopic heartbeats may mean you are at greater risk for serious abnormal heart rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if:

You keep feeling the sensation of your heart pounding or racing (palpitations).
You have palpitations with chest pain or other symptoms.
You have this condition and your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment.

References

Fang JC, O'Gara PT. History and physical examination: an evidence-based approach. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 13.

Olgin JE. Approach to the patient with suspected arrhythmias. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 56.

Review Date:5/8/2022
Reviewed By:Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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