A heart rhythm abnormality in which the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) contract before the atria (the upper chambers of the heart); also known as premature ventricular contractions. Some people with the condition experience it as a wildly fast, galloping heartbeat (palpitations), which can be frightening and startling. Other people have no noticeable symptoms. Ventricular ectopic beat has a number of possible causes, including anxiety and stress, fatigue, alcohol, caffeine, and electrolyte imbalance.
A form of cardiac arrhythmia characterized by irregular heartbeats originating from electrical impulses within the heart’s ventricles (the lower chambers). In a healthy heart, beats are initiated by the sinoatrial node located in the right atrium.
Ventricular ectopic beats can be identified through an electrocardiogram (ECG). If frequent irregular beats lead to symptoms or if the beats originate from multiple locations within the ventricles, the use of an antiarrhythmic medication might be necessary.