Ectopic ?

[Elaine1951]

What does this mean. Sorry be be dense

[Kbuck1234]

It means out of place. Typically an ectopic heartbeat which is an extra beat or indeed feeling of a skipped beat.

[BobD Volunteer]

Ectopic means out of place. What happens is that the ventricle contracts before the atrium has passed any blood down into it so there is nothing to pump into the arterial system. This feels like a missed beat. Ectopic beats are quite normal and all people have up to 200 per day. Those of us with arrhythmias have far more and a recent 24 hour tape on me showed over 2000 although I have been at this game so long I am not always aware of them. They are not generally harmful but of course we A F ers notice so much more about what our hearts are doing.

[patton in reply to BobD]

Many thanks for that info.I have afib and have had a successful cardioversion last September.However I am getting 'missed beats' occasionally and my Cardiologist said it was nothing to worry about.Your information on 2000 ectopic beats a day is most reassuring.An old post but still helpful to me....many thanks...

[Buffafly]

No need to be sorry, these terms are hard to understand if they are new to you and we are glad to help!

[higgy52]

Your not the only one, i didn't know.