Echocardiogram – To confirm that the structure and function of your heart is sound.Holter monitor – To assess the frequency of ectopic beats over a 24 h period, and to look for other arrhythmias that may be present.ECG – To evaluate your heart rhythm and look for clues that may suggest underlying heart conditions.Blood tests – To determine if there is an underlying condition that has provoked the ectopic beats.You may require the following initial tests: What tests do I need if I have ectopic heartbeats? Early evaluation is important to identify those needing treatment for deteriorating heart function.

Occasionally there may be runs of many ectopic beats in a row and this is called ventricular tachycardia. In some individuals with a very large number of ventricular ectopic beats, the abnormal beats may result in weakening of the heart muscle which may progress to heart failure. Ventricular ectopic beats – These also rarely cause problems beyond occasional palpitations.In some cases, rapid runs of atrial ectopy can lead to a rapid irregular arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation. Atrial ectopic beats – These rarely cause problems beyond occasional palpitations.What are the consequence of ectopic heartbeats? Conditions affecting heart muscle including prior heart attack and heart failure.Effects of medications such as asthma puffers and nasal decongestants.Intake of caffeine, alcohol, or recreational drugs.Fluctuations in potassium and magnesium levels in the blood.Normal physical states such as exercise, stress, pregnancy, menopause, and ageing.In some cases, ectopic beats may reflect:

They occur in perfectly health individuals for no reason at all, and they can occur at any age.

Ventricular ectopics arise from the heart’s lower chambers, also termed premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).Įctopic heartbeats are usually nothing to worry about.

Atrial ectopics arise from the heart’s upper chambers, and are also termed premature atrial contractions (PACs).

These sensations are often more prominent when resting quietly or lying down.Įctopic heartbeats may arise from a focus that lies anywhere in the heart. Others feel a “thump”, since the following beat is larger and stronger than usual. Some individuals experience the pause as a “missed beat”. Ectopic heartbeats generally go unnoticed. The heart normally responds with a momentary pause before resuming its normal regular rhythm. This happens when a small cluster of muscle cells in the upper or lower chambers sends out a single electrical impulse early and out of rhythm. Ectopic heartbeats occur in all individuals, and are almost always harmless.Īn ectopic heartbeat is one that occurs ahead of time. “Ectopic beats are almost always harmless, requiring no treatment at all.”Īn ectopic heartbeat is an “out-of-place” heartbeat due to a single muscular twitch of the heart. Normal rhythm is called “sinus rhythm”, in reference to the sinus node which normally controls the heart’s rhythm. We can determine if the heart is in normal rhythm by performing an ECG test. When the normal sequence of electrical activity is disrupted, an abnormal heart rhythm will result. The sinus node, the AV node, and electrical cables of the lower chambers of the heart need to function correctly to generate the normal heartbeat. The AV node is a critical structure in the heart as it is the only electrical connection between the upper and lower chambers. When the impulse reaches the AV node in the centre of the heart, it is held up for a split second, then sent into the ventricles via special electrical cables. It is sometimes called the sinoatrial or SA node.Įach electrical impulse first spreads through the atria, making them contract. It fires more rapidly during exercise and stress, and slows down when you are resting. The sinus node sets the heart’s normal rhythm, firing at a rate of 60 to 100 times a minute. “Your heart’s rhythm is regulated by an electrical system.”Įvery normal heartbeat starts with an electrical impulse generated by the heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinus node.

Atrial fibrillation ivcd