When you notice there is a heartbeat earlier than usual and a fluttery or skipped heartbeat follows with it, it could be a premature atrial contraction (PAC). It may also be called as atrial ectopic beats or atrial premature beats. They are common conditions, and most of the time do not need treatment.
The heart has four chambers. The two upper ones are the âatria.â If your heart’s electrical system triggers an early or extra beat in the atria, it will lead to premature atrial contraction.
A similar condition, premature ventricular contraction (PVC), begins in the lower chambers, which are called the “ventricles” of the heart. Every time your heart goes out of its usual rhythm, doctors call it an “arrhythmia”. There are many different types, including PACs.
Premature atrial beats are caused by a premature and abnormal depolarization of the atria, responsible for an anticipated QRS complex. Generally, the shape of this complex is identical to that of the sinus arrhythmia.
When you have a PAC, you may notice:
Doctors do not always know the cause. These things can suggest PACs:
In general, premature atrial contractions do not have a clear cause or health risk. In most cases, premature atrial contractions are not a sign of heart disease and only occur naturally.
But some people who have PACs turn out to have related heart conditions, such as:
If your doctor finds out that you have a condition related to premature heartbeats, you will work together to develop a treatment plan.
When you have single or occasional PACs, there is usually no need to seek medical treatment.
But if you have PACs frequently or if they really bother you, consult a doctor. Based on your symptoms, your doctor may order one or more of these tests:
If the results of your test show that you have other heart-related problems, your doctor will recommend you a treatment plan. However, in most cases, PACs do not need treatment.
When there is little functional tolerance, nerve blockers may be useful. Antiarrhythmic drugs are rarely necessary, but they can be prescribed if there are episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
If you have severe symptoms or find them bothersome, treatments may include:
What Is Supraventricular Tachycardia?
How to Treat Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)?
Arrhythmia: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments