What's The Connection Between Ectopic Heartbeat And Arrhythmia?

Arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeats, often have to do with faulty or damaged electrical pathways in the heart. Because of their relation to one of the most essential organs in the body, arrhythmias can frequently have noticeable, as well as sometimes dangerous, symptoms. They can also lead to more harmful conditions or diseases, such a stroke.

However, there are many times where arrhythmias are relatively minor and aren't noticeable nor cause any symptoms. Ectopic heartbeats are one of those more benign forms of arrhythmia. They result when electrical signals aren't just sent from your sinoatrial node, or your heart's natural pacemaker. Other fibers around the heart start creating sudden electrical impulses, trigging a premature heartbeat.

Can I expect symptoms from this 'benign' condition?

The symptoms of ectopic heartbeats are usually very mild and sometimes completely symptomless. Where symptoms are present, they generally include feeling your heartbeat, feeling like your heart briefly stopped or skipped a beat, or feeling an occasional forceful beat. These should happen infrequently, but it can be a sign of a more serious health issue if it happens with greater severity or frequency.

What causes these ectopic heartbeats?

Ectopic heartbeats often don't have a definite cause, but can be seen in conjunction with certain changes in the blood, for example, low potassium levels. A decreased blood supply to the heart, as well as an enlarged heart, also tend to occur with ectopic heartbeats. It's more common in adults, and as with most heart conditions, it can be caused by or made worse by smoking and using alcohol, caffeine, and certain drugs.

How would a doctor diagnose me?

If the doctor is still concerned, using a Holter monitor to record the heart's activity for 24 to 48 hours can track less frequent symptoms. Other types of monitors may be used that start recording when you feel your beat skip or another sign of ectopic heartbeats. Finally, if your doctor believes the size or structure of the heart is problematic, they can use what is called an echocardiogram. It uses sound waves to create accurate imaging of the heart.

Are all ectopic heartbeats the same? Are there different types?

In the heart, there are two chambers, the lower chambers (ventricles) and the upper chambers (atria). Your heart's natural pacemaker is in the atria, but the electrical impulses that cause ectopic heartbeats can originate from either the bottom or the top of your heart. This is how the types of ectopic heartbeats are divided.

• Premature atrial contraction (PAC). When fibers in your heart send unwanted electrical signals and trigger premature heartbeats in your atria.
• Premature ventricular contraction (PVC). When fibers in your heart send unwanted electrical signals and trigger premature heartbeats in your ventricles.

Neither are very severe, but as mentioned, can signal that other more severe conditions may exist in the heart.

Are ectopic heartbeats treatable?

Unlike many other arrhthmyias, ectopic heartbeats are treated with more natural means. Consuming less caffeine and alcohol, as well as limiting tobacco intake, may reduce ectopic heartbeats. Regular exercise can also improve the condition. In most cases, no treatment is necessary. If the symptoms are particularly severe or happen very often, and can lead to another type of arrhythmia. A type of medicine called beta blockers may be prescribed, or a medical procedure in which problematic parts of the heart are eliminated (ablation), may be recommended. However, this is very rare and often done to solve a more significant underlying issue.

How do ectopic heartbeats it relate to other heart conditions?

Although ectopic beats are harmless, studies have demonstrated that they can lead to or be warning signs for other types of arrhythmias and heart complications. Several studies show that it can lead to atrial fibrillation in particular, the most common type of arrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation can be particularly dangerous as it can lead to stroke. Also, several studies also show that ectopic beats are a risk factor for future stroke and mortality.