ECTOPIC BEAT

Ectopic heartbeat is an irregularity of the heart rate and heart rhythm involving extra or skipped heartbeats.


Causes;

•  Drinking too much caffeinated beverages.

• Drinking alcohol.

• Smoking cigarettes.

• Exhaution.

• Not getting enough sleep.

• Abnormal electrolytes in the blood.

• Having a hyperactive thyroid gland.

• A condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse

• Insufficient blood supply to heart(ischemia)

• Rheumatic Heart disease

• Congenital heart disease mainly Atrial Septal Defect

• Cardiomyopathy(primary muscle disease of the heart)

• Right Ventricular Dysplasia

• Long QT Syndrome

• Brugada Syndrome

Symptoms;

Symptoms include:

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

Note: There may be no symptoms also.


Diagnostic Tests;

A physical examination may show an occasional, irregular pulse, but if the ectopic beats do not occur frequently, your doctor may not detect them during a physical exam.

ECG

Echocardiogram

Holter monitor or patient-activated recording device

Coronary angiography

Treatment;



Most ectopic heartbeats do not require treatment. The condition is treated if your symptoms are severe or if the extra beats occur very frequently.
An underlying cause, if discovered, may also require treatment



Prevention;

Limiting caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may reduce the risk and frequency of ectopic heartbeats in certain people. Exercise often helps those who are inactive.