Ventricular Ectopic Beat

A ventricular ectopic beat (VEB) is an extra heartbeat that starts in the lower chamber of the heart. Also known as a premature ventricular contraction, the beat takes place prior to the heart's natural beat. VEBs are actually common in people who do not have heart disease, and they are rather harmless. On the other hand, if a person has been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, heart failure, or suffered a previous heart attack, a VEB could initiate ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. Such a chain reaction can result in sudden death.

Causes

Even though experts have been able to pinpoint where the VEB originates, whatever is causing it to happen is still rather vague. Some doctors think that something triggers it, while others believe the beat is completely random. Sometimes, people who are otherwise healthy experience VEBs. However, if there is no indication of the presence of heart disease, the individual need not be concerned.

Symptoms

Just one ventricular ectopic beat has little impact on the heart's pumping capabilities and typically does not have any symptoms associated with it. If any symptom is noticeable, it feels like an exceptionally powerful or skipped heartbeat. This is often described as a thump, kick, or flip-flop. This feeling may also be described as fullness in the neck.

Diagnosis

A VEB can easily be visualized on an electrocardiogram.

Treatment

A patient in good health standing may only need to minimize the amount of stress they've been dealing with or cut back on drinking alcohol and caffeine. Over-the-counter cold medications, such as decongestants, may contain ingredients that arouse the heart and should be taken with caution.

If someone is experiencing symptoms that are bothersome or causing discomfort, or the tempo of the VEBs suggest that there could be something wrong, the doctor may put the patient on medication. The first option, which is relatively low-risk, is usually to try beta-blockers.

Beta-blockers are also used when the patient has a history of heart attack or heart disease and is experiencing VEBs on a regular basis. This situation is complex because the risk of sudden death is much more of a concern. Surgery is another option when drugs are not going to be effective; angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery may release any coronary artery blockage and lower the chances of sudden death.

Orlando, Florida 20 North Orange Avenue Suite 1600 Orlando, Florida 32801 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Tampa, Florida One Tampa City Center 201 N. Franklin Street, 7th Floor Tampa, Florida 33602 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Jacksonville, Florida 76 S. Laura Street Suite 1100 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Fort Myers, Florida 12800 University Drive Suite 600 Fort Myers, Florida 33907 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Davie, Florida 7450 Griffin Road Suite 230 Davie, Florida 33314 Telephone: (800) 896-2709
St. Petersburg, Florida 695 Central Avenue, Suite 150J St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Atlanta, Georgia 191 Peachtree Street NE Suite 4200 Atlanta, GA 30303 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Jackson, Mississippi 188 East Capitol St Jackson, Mississippi 39201 Telephone: (800) 896-2709

Alabama	Alaska	Arizona	Arkansas	California	Colorado	Connecticut	Delaware	Florida	Georgia	Hawaii	Idaho
Illinois	Indiana	Iowa	Kansas	Kentucky	Louisiana	Maine	Maryland	Massachusetts	Michigan	Minnesota	Mississippi
Missouri	Montana	Nebraska	Nevada	New Hampshire	New Jersey	New Mexico	New York	North Carolina	Ohio	Oklahoma	Oregon
Pennsylvania	Rhode Island	South Carolina	Tennessee	Texas	Utah	Vermont	Virginia	Washington	West Virginia	Wisconsin	Wyoming