Ectopic HeartbeatSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Ectopic Heartbeat
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)
PVB (premature ventricular beat); Premature beats; PVC (premature ventricular complex/contraction); Extrasystole; Premature supraventricular contractions; PAC; Premature atrial contraction; Abnormal heartbeat
Ectopic heartbeats are sometimes seen with:
- Changes in the blood, such as a low potassium level (hypokalemia)
- A 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 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.
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.
MUSC Health Cardiology At Ashley River Tower
Jeffrey Winterfield is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Winterfield is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ectopic Heartbeat. He is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Ventricular Tachycardia, Arrhythmias, Ectopic Heartbeat, Cardiac Ablation, and Pacemaker Implantation. Dr. Winterfield is currently accepting new patients.
Cardiovascular Center
Frank Bogun is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist and a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Bogun is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ectopic Heartbeat. He is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Ectopic Heartbeat, Ventricular Tachycardia, Arrhythmias, Cardiac Ablation, and Heart Transplant. Dr. Bogun is board certified in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Bogun is currently accepting new patients.
Electrophysiology Services
Rakesh Latchamsetty is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist and a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Latchamsetty is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ectopic Heartbeat. He is also highly rated in 55 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Ectopic Heartbeat, Arrhythmias, Ventricular Tachycardia, Cardiac Ablation, and Pacemaker Implantation. Dr. Latchamsetty is board certified in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Latchamsetty is currently accepting new patients.
In some cases, ectopic heartbeats may mean you are at greater risk for serious abnormal heart rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia.
Contact 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.
Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and feasibility of the investigational catheter for mapping the atrial and ventricular regions of the heart.
Summary: The investigators aim to characterize patients presenting with a severe ventricular tachycardia (VT) and premature ventricular complex (PVC)-ablation-related complication including patient characteristics, procedural details and subsequent management of the complication by gathering existing patient-level data.
Published Date: April 28, 2026
Published 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.
Fang JC, Metkus TS, O'Gara PT. History, physical examination, and the virtual visit. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, et al, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 11.
Olgin JE. Approach to the patient with suspected arrhythmias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 49.