What does "junctional premature beat" mean?
Disease description:
During a recent physical examination, I discovered that I have junctional premature beats, and sometimes I feel a bit palpitated. May I ask, what does junctional premature beat mean?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Junctional premature beats, also known as junctional premature contractions, represent a typical manifestation of arrhythmia. This phenomenon originates from the atrioventricular junction—the area between the atria and ventricles—where an ectopic pacemaker site abnormally triggers a heartbeat earlier than the normal sinus impulse. The heartbeat does not originate from the sinoatrial node, which normally controls the heart's rhythm, but rather from abnormal activation within the junctional region between the atria and ventricles.
Patients with mild or occasional junctional premature beats may not experience any noticeable symptoms. When premature beats occur frequently, however, patients may feel palpitations, chest tightness, or other discomforts. These symptoms are particularly evident in individuals with underlying heart disease, as the premature beats may increase the heart's workload and potentially impair overall cardiac function.
In terms of treatment, if premature beats occur without accompanying structural or functional abnormalities of the heart (i.e., no organic heart disease), specific treatment measures are usually unnecessary. Patients with frequent premature beats, significant symptoms, or those with underlying organic heart disease are advised to seek timely medical attention.
