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)
- 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.
Henrico Cardiology Associates - Forest Avenue
Kenneth Ellenbogen is a Cardiologist in Richmond,, Virginia. Dr. Ellenbogen is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ectopic Heartbeat. His top areas of expertise are Ectopic Heartbeat, Atrial Fibrillation, Sarcoidosis, Cardiac Ablation, and Pacemaker Implantation.
Montefiore Medical Center
Andrea Natale is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist in Bronx, New York. Dr. Natale is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ectopic Heartbeat. His top areas of expertise are Atrial Fibrillation, Arrhythmias, Ventricular Tachycardia, Cardiac Ablation, and Pacemaker Implantation.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Pasquale Santangeli is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Santangeli is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ectopic Heartbeat. His top areas of expertise are Ventricular Tachycardia, Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation, Cardiac Ablation, and Pacemaker Implantation.
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: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) affects up to 3% of the general population and a small subset of patients is at risk for ventricular arrhythmias. This subgroup is referred to as AMVP (arrhythmic MVP) and was recently defined using the following criteria: (1) Presence of MVP), (2) Ventricular arrhythmia that is either frequent (≥5% total premature ventricular contraction (PVC) burden on Holter) or comp...
Summary: QTc prolongation and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are common in hemodialysis (HD) patients and are associated with sudden cardiac death. It is known that higher dialysate bicarbonate is associated with more QTc prolongation during HD sessions. This study aims to assess the effects of lower (30 mEq/L) versus higher (35 mEq/L) dialysate bicarbonate in adult maintenance HD patients admit...
Published Date: May 08, 2024
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 49.