Ectopic Heartbeat - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which doctor should I consult for Ectopic Heartbeat?

A Cardiologist or Cardiac Electrophysiologist would help you deal with Ectopic Heartbeat.

2. How common are ectopic heartbeats?

Ectopic heartbeats are more common among hypertension patients, in people with various heart diseases as and in older adults. But ectopic heartbeats do not have symptoms and it can also occur in young, fit & healthy individuals who don’t suffer from heart diseases or high blood pressure. Frequent ectopic beats can cause dizziness due to the reduced ability of the heart to pump blood around the body.

3. Can I get more than one ectopic beat at a time?

Yes, ectopic beats may occur every second beat and are called bigeminy. When two consecutive ectopic beats occur it is Couplets and triplets if it occurs for every three consecutive ectopic beats. Ventricular tachycardia is when people experience more than three consecutive ectopic beats in a row and can result in low blood flow, low blood pressure, and fainting. In some instances, ventricular tachycardia can also develop into fatal heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation).

4. How successful is catheter ablation for ectopic heartbeats?

Catheter ablation for ectopic heartbeats is very effective in stopping the extra heartbeats. A successful ablation for ectopic beats depends on the ectopic beats which occur at the time of the procedure.