What are ectopic beats? Can they damage your heart?

Ectopic beats are early (premature), or extra heartbeats, which can cause palpitations that feel like your heart is skipping or missing a beat.

They’re common, with most people experiencing ectopic beats at some point in their lives, especially at times of hormonal changes, such as menopause.

Ectopic beats are usually harmless and do not damage the heart. In fact, many people who have them have no symptoms, or have them while they’re asleep.

However, if you do experience symptoms, you may feel like your heartbeat is racing, or is irregular with skipped or extra beats, or you may feel a pounding, thumping or fluttering.

Ectopic beats, which doctors may call a heart arrhythmia, can last for seconds, minutes, or longer.

They also come in different patterns, for example, you may have one ectopic beat before every normal heartbeat, or several ectopic beats in a row.

You may also feel a sensation in your chest, neck or throat. 

Common causes include strenuous exercise, lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, alcohol, smoking and caffeine. If any of these are triggers for you, try to avoid them.

Some medicines cause ectopic beats too, so check your medicine leaflets. But always see your GP before stopping any medications.

Not all ectopic beats need treatment. If you are unsure or have frequent or lengthy spells of palpitations, speak to your doctor to discuss whether you need to have your heart monitored.

They may want to do an ECG (electrocardiogram that monitors the heart’s rhythm), or a series of ECGs called a Holter Monitor test, or an echocardiogram, which is a scan of the heart, to see if there are any underlying heart issues.

To relieve anxiety and stress try breathing exercises, yoga and mindfulness, and avoid alcohol, coffee and cigarettes.

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