Ectopic Heartbeat: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Ectopic Heartbeat?
A primary care doctor can check an ectopic heartbeat. A cardiologist, a doctor who treats heart problems, handles heart rhythm problems that need more testing or treatment. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is an ectopic heartbeat?
An ectopic heartbeat is a change in a heartbeat that is otherwise normal. These changes lead to extra or skipped heartbeats. Ectopic heartbeats are common, and there is often not a clear cause.
The two most common types are premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and premature atrial contractions (PAC). A premature beat, also called an extra heartbeat, happens when the signal to beat comes too early. It may feel like your heart skipped a beat.
Symptoms
Some people have no symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they can include:
- Feeling your heartbeat, called palpitations.
- Feeling like your heart stopped or skipped a beat.
- Feeling of occasional, forceful beats.
It is also normal to feel as if your heart skips a beat once in a while.
Causes and who gets it
Ectopic heartbeats are sometimes seen with a low potassium level in the blood, a decrease in blood supply to the heart, or a heart that is enlarged or structurally abnormal.
Smoking, alcohol, caffeine, stimulant medicines, and some street drugs may cause ectopic beats or make them worse.
In adults, ectopic heartbeats are common. They are most often due to PACs or PVCs. In children, they are rare if the child has no heart disease that was present at birth. Most extra heartbeats in children are PACs, which are often benign, meaning not harmful.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor may notice an occasional uneven pulse during a physical exam. If the beats do not happen very often, the doctor may not find them during the exam.
An ECG (electrocardiogram) will be done. It records your heart's electrical activity. Often, no more testing is needed when the ECG is normal and the symptoms are not severe or worrisome.
To learn more about your heart rhythm, a doctor may order a monitor you wear. A Holter monitor records and stores your heart rhythm for 24 to 48 hours. An event monitor records your rhythm whenever you feel a skipped beat. An echocardiogram, a heart test, may be ordered if a doctor suspects a problem with the size or structure of your heart.
Treatment
For the most part, ectopic heartbeats do not need to be treated. They are treated only if symptoms are severe or if the extra beats happen very often. If a cause can be found, it may also need treatment.
Limiting caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may help reduce ectopic heartbeats for some people. Regular exercise may help people who are inactive.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you keep feeling your heart pounding or racing. Also contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment. A doctor should look into the cause when ectopic beats are frequent.
In some cases, ectopic heartbeats may mean a higher risk of serious abnormal heart rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or think you are having a heart attack.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can review your symptoms and talk about triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. They can also follow your symptoms over time and refer you to a cardiologist if you need more testing.
Common questions
Is an ectopic heartbeat dangerous?
It depends. For the most part, ectopic heartbeats do not need to be treated. In some cases, they may mean a higher risk of serious abnormal heart rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia. A doctor can check your heart to see which applies to you.
Are ectopic heartbeats common?
Yes. In adults, ectopic heartbeats are common. They are most often due to PACs or PVCs. Many people have no symptoms at all.
Can caffeine cause ectopic heartbeats?
Yes, caffeine may cause ectopic beats or make them worse. Smoking, alcohol, stimulant medicines, and some street drugs may do the same. Limiting caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may help reduce them for some people.
Do children get ectopic heartbeats?
They can, but it is rare in children who do not have heart disease that was present at birth. Most extra heartbeats in children are PACs. These are often benign, meaning not harmful.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Ectopic heartbeat
- MedlinePlus - Arrhythmia
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Arrhythmias: What Is an Arrhythmia?
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
