Ectopic heartbeat

Alternative names:

premature beats; premature contraction; PVB; PVC

Definition:

A disorder of the heart rate and heart rhythm involving extra or skipped heartbeats.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Ectopic heartbeats are an arrhythmia involving small variations in an otherwise normal heartbeat. They may, in many cases, be without observable cause. They may be caused or aggravated by excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine, or other conditions such as heart disorders. PVC's are rare in children other than children with congenital heart disease. The majority of extra heartbeats in children are PAC's (premature atrial contractions) which are almost always benign.