What causes premature heartbeats in young people?

Mar 21, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Tian Hongbo

Introduction

In general, premature heartbeats refer to premature contractions. Premature contractions in young people may be caused by factors such as emotional excitement and tension, vigorous exercise, hyperthyroidism, viral myocarditis, and mitral valve prolapse syndrome. It is recommended that young individuals maintain a positive mindset and emotional regulation abilities, arrange exercise and daily routines appropriately, and avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Generally speaking, premature heartbeats refer to premature contractions. In young people, premature contractions may be caused by emotional excitement and tension, strenuous exercise, hyperthyroidism, viral myocarditis, mitral valve prolapse syndrome, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Emotional Excitement and Tension

When experiencing emotional excitement, tension, or anxiety, the autonomic nervous system may become imbalanced, leading to abnormal conduction of electrical signals in the heart and resulting in premature contractions. Preventive measures include maintaining a positive mindset, learning stress management and emotional regulation techniques, such as practicing deep breathing, meditation, or engaging in relaxing activities like yoga.

2. Strenuous Exercise

After intense physical activity, the heart may beat faster to meet the body's increased oxygen demand, which can sometimes lead to premature contractions. It is important to plan exercise intensity and duration appropriately, avoid overexertion, and perform proper stretching and relaxation exercises before and after workouts.

3. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism typically results from excessive secretion of thyroid hormones. The overproduction of thyroid hormones accelerates metabolism and increases the workload on the heart, potentially triggering premature contractions. Associated symptoms may include weight loss, hand tremors, heat intolerance, and excessive sweating. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, levothyroxine sodium tablets, and others to alleviate symptoms.

4. Viral Myocarditis

Viral myocarditis is primarily caused by viral infections. The inflammatory response may damage myocardial cells, thereby affecting the heart's conduction system and causing premature contractions. Accompanying symptoms may include chest tightness, fatigue, and fever. Under a doctor's guidance, patients may use medications such as coenzyme Q10 capsules, vitamin C tablets, prednisone tablets, and others for treatment.

5. Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome

Mitral valve prolapse syndrome is mainly associated with genetic factors. Abnormal mitral valve structure may cause cardiac electrophysiological disturbances, leading to premature contractions. Symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath may also occur. Patients should use medications such as metoprolol sustained-release tablets, verapamil hydrochloride tablets, aspirin enteric-coated tablets, and others under a doctor's supervision.

It is recommended that young people maintain a positive mindset, develop emotional regulation skills, plan exercise and daily routines appropriately, and avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits.

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Are heart palpitations a sign of myocarditis?

Premature contractions are not the same as myocarditis. Premature contractions refer to irregular heartbeats that may represent normal physiological phenomena but could also be associated with organic heart disease. Myocarditis, on the other hand, is usually related to viral infections. These two conditions are distinct; however, severe myocarditis may trigger premature contractions, leading to irregular heartbeats.

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Can a cold cause premature heartbeats?

Whether a cold causes premature contractions mainly depends on the type and severity of the cold. Non-viral colds or mild colds usually do not cause premature contractions, whereas viral or severe colds may induce viral myocarditis, thereby leading to premature contractions and associated symptoms. Therefore, it is important to promptly identify the cause of the cold and provide targeted treatment accordingly.

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Can ventricular premature beats in trigeminy rhythm return to normal?

Whether premature contractions can be restored mainly depends on the underlying cause. If caused by physiological factors, they may return to a normal state after improving lifestyle habits and generally do not require special treatment. However, premature contractions caused by pathological factors such as cardiomyopathy or coronary heart disease, especially in severe cases, are usually difficult to reverse and require treatment of the underlying disease or catheter radiofrequency ablation.

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Which acupoint should be scraped for cardiac premature beats?

In general, cardiac premature beats refer to premature contractions. For premature contractions, acupoints such as Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), Shanzhong (CV17), Xinshu (BL15), and Jueyinshu (PC8) can be stimulated. Normally, one should avoid intense emotional fluctuations and reduce stimulation from negative emotions such as tension, anxiety, and anger. Relaxation methods such as listening to music or meditation may help alleviate these emotions and prevent emotional factors from triggering premature contractions.