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Ectopic heartbeat

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

PVB (premature ventricular beat); Premature contraction; Premature beats; PVC (premature ventricular contraction); Extrasystole

Symptoms:

• Sensation of feeling heart beat ( palpitations )
• 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 occasional irregularity, but if the ectopic beats do not occur frequently, they may not be detectable on physical exam. Blood pressure is usually normal.

The following tests may be used to diagnosis an ectopic heartbeat:

• ECG
• Continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring (Holter monitor)
• Echocardiogram
• Coronary angiography

• Review Date: 5/31/2006
• Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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