An ectopic heartbeat is when the heart either skips a beat or adds an extra beat. They are also called premature heartbeats.
Ectopic heartbeats are usually not a cause for concern, and they may occur for no known reason. Despite the skipped or added beat, the heart otherwise functions normally.
People may be worried if they feel their heartbeat skipping. But it is not a sign of a serious problem. Anxiety often causes ectopic beats, and they will usually go away by themselves.
There are two types of ectopic heartbeat:
Premature atrial contractions (PAC), which originate in the upper chambers, or atria.Premature ventricular contractions (PVC), which originate in the lower chambers, or ventricles.Ectopic heartbeats are common in adults. They are less common in children and typically occur due to an underlying heart condition.
When a child experiences an ectopic heartbeat, it is often a PAC. It is usually harmless.
The chances of hing a PVC increase as people get older. A heart attack or family history of PVC may increase the risk of someone developing PVCs as they age.