ectopic ventricular beats

[Northernowl]

I’ve not had any major Afib episodes since my ablation 10 years ago but I saw my doctor yesterday due to left sided discomfort (shoulder & ribs) no Afib on ecg but several ectopic ventricular beats were noticed. He booked me in for an ultrasound and CT scan but il probably be waiting 8-12 weeks for them - I’m hoping the combined knowledge of you guys can put me at ease because when I think of ventricular issues I think about Vfib and people dropping dead ? I’m 45, have no other medical issues, bp is good, no major chest pain just the odd jump/shock from what I think is the odd ectopic beat but I’m stressing about this and the long wait for further tests really doesn’t help

[Teresa156]

Hi NorthernOwl,

When you say ventricular ectopic beats, do you mean premature ventricular beats (PVCs)? These are considered ‘normal’ if so, but understandably, they’re not very nice, if you feel a lot of them.

I wouldn’t normally recommend Dr Google, but it might be worth googling PVCs so you can see how common they are. I have had periods of many PVCs as have many on this forum and anxiety about them definitely increases them.

Your GP may be sending you for a CT scan and ultrasound, more to look into your pains perhaps? Is there a possibility you could make another appointment with him to discuss your concerns?

You may be better asking if you could be referred to cardiology too and perhaps have a 24 hr monitor to detect how many ectopics you are getting? Either way, might be worth having another chat with him again, if possible?

[Northernowl in reply to Teresa156]

Thank you teresa156, are ectopics a general term for extra beats that could happen in any part of the heart but PVCs are extra beats in the ventricles ?

[Teresa156 in reply to Northernowl]

Hi Northern Owl.

Ectopic beats are a term for extra beats that originate from either the ventricles, or the atria - either premature ventricular contraction, (pvc) or premature atrial contractions (PAC)s).

[ForensicFairy]

PVCs are never ‘normal’ but they can be totally benign. They’re certainly not immediately life threatening.

If you have a large number of them (in excess of 20%+ of your beats over a long person of time, they can cause left ventricular dysfunction. They can be a sign of other issues such as valve disorders or other structural issues.

For most people they’re nothing and no treatment is needed. You will not develop vtach or vfib just because you have PVCs. If your PVCs are rapid and last for less than 30 seconds it’s called non sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT). If you have this it can lead to vtach but only in a specific group and that is those with advances structural issues or a conduction issue. I know lol of this as I have a genetic conduction disorder and they’re aiming to stop vfib and vtach.

[Northernowl in reply to ForensicFairy]

Thank you - that’s put my mind at ease 👍