What does premature beat mean?
Disease description:
I feel that my heartbeat is somewhat irregular, and my doctor told me that I have premature beats. I would like to ask the doctor, what does premature beats mean?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xin
Premature beats, also known as premature contractions, refer to the phenomenon of early heartbeats.
1. When a premature beat occurs, an ectopic pacemaker in the heart emits an electrical impulse earlier than normal, leading to premature contraction of the heart and disrupting the normal heart rhythm. Depending on the origin of the premature beats, they can be classified as atrial premature beats, junctional premature beats, or ventricular premature beats, with ventricular premature beats being the most common.
2. The causes of premature beats are diverse, including both physiological and pathological factors. Physiological factors such as mental stress, anxiety, alcohol consumption, and caffeine intake may trigger premature beats; pathological factors include cardiac diseases such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, and myocarditis, as well as conditions like drug toxicity and low blood potassium levels.
3. Symptoms of premature beats vary among individuals; some patients may be asymptomatic, while others may experience palpitations or a sensation of skipped heartbeats. Frequent premature beats may lead to symptoms such as fatigue and dizziness, and may even trigger or worsen angina pectoris and heart failure.
If patients experience symptoms of premature beats, they should seek medical attention promptly. Maintaining healthy lifestyle and dietary habits, avoiding excessive fatigue and mental stress, can help prevent and reduce the occurrence of premature beats.
