Ectopic heartbeat

Alternative names:

premature beats; premature contraction; PVB; PVC

Symptoms:

• the sensation of feeling heart beat (palpitations)
• the sensation of stopped or skipped beats

Note: In many cases, the person may have no symptoms.

Signs and tests:

A physical examination may show an irregular pulse. There is usually normal blood pressure.

An ectopic heartbeat may be revealed on:

• an ECG
• a continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring (Holter)
• an echocardiogram
• a coronary angiography (rarely used in the diagnosis of ectopic heartbeat)