What is it about ?
The heart is made up of 2 upper chambers (the atria) and 2 lower compartments (the ventricles). The myocardium contracts under the impulse of an electrical stimulus. This current originates in the sinus node, a node that is located in the right atrium of the heart. From the sinus node, current flows to the myocardium through a specific nerve system.
Extra heartbeat in the atria and ventricles
An extra heartbeat may be due to an additional electrical stimulus coming from somewhere other than the sinus node in the atria. This extra heartbeat is followed by a brief pause. We are talking about :
- extra heartbeats that originate in the Headsets (supraventricular extrasystoles);
- extra heartbeats that originate in the ventricles (ventricular extrasystoles).
These extra heart beats (extrasystoles) occur in healthy people as well as in those with heart disease.
- In people who have healthy heart, these extra heartbeats are mild and harmless.
- In contrast, in people with heart disease or severe systemic disease (which affects multiple organs or tissues), the onset or sudden increase in additional heartbeats may suggest that an underlying condition is worsening.
Triggers
The extra heartbeats can be triggered by:
- coffee ;
- energy drinks;
- smoking;
- the alcohol ;
- drugs ;
- the stress ;
- fatigue and lack of sleep;
- thyroid disorders.
What is their frequency?
At least one extra heartbeat is seen in half of healthy people during 24-hour heart recordings.
In the healthy population, the extra heartbeat is more common in older people. In the over 60 age group, 20% of people have more than 100 more heartbeats per 24 hours, and 5% more than 1,000 more beats per 24 hours.
How to recognize them?
If, in addition to the stimulus from the sinus node, the heart receives another signal, it can contract 2 times in a very close interval. When the first contraction is anticipated, the ventricles are not sufficiently filled with blood, making the heart beat feel like it is paused. At the second contraction, the ventricles are very full, the heart must then pump a lot, which the person may feel like a heart stroke.
Usually, we do not realize that the heart has made an extra beat, but it may feel like the heart is skipping a beat, pounding, irregular heartbeat, or have the feeling that the heart just stops.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor will make the diagnosis on the basis of a examination detailed symptoms and history, and accompanied by a physical examination. If necessary, a blood test and an electrocardiogram (tracing of the electrical activity of the heart) will be performed.
More specific heart exams are usually only required if the doctor suspects an underlying condition or serious disease of the heart.
What can you do ?
In most cases, it is sufficient to avoid the triggers mentioned above. See a doctor if the extra heartbeat occurs very regularly and is causing you problems.
What can your doctor do?
The doctor will start by reassuring you. In the majority of cases, there is no need to administer medication for extrasystoles.
However, if the extra heartbeat causes a multitude of complaints, your doctor may prescribe medications, starting with a product that will lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
If, in addition to the extra heartbeat, you have a significant predisposition to an ultra-fast heartbeat at rest or an ultra-fast, irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), you may consider catheter ablation. This intervention, carried out by catheterization or by surgery (exploratory), makes it possible to block the electrical stimuli that disturb the heart rhythm.
Want to know more?
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