Ectopic Beats

One of the most common reasons people are referred to Cardiology Clinics, especially in younger people. The heart produces extra bursts of electricity in the top portion of the heart (the atrium) or bottom chambers of the heart (the ventricles). Ectopic beats cause the sensation of intermittent thumping, fluttering or missed beats. They occur most commonly when your resting – such as sat on the sofa or lying in bed at night before you fall asleep. These ectopics occur at other times, but the mind tends to ignore them if you are busy or pre-occupied. If an ectopic beat occurs, this can lead to anxiety which results in the body releasing adrenaline, irritating the heart, producing more ectopics – so a vicious cycle! Ectopic beats are further differentiated depending on the area of the heart affected.