Help me decipher some terms please!

Hi guys:

Well this is one board that I wish I'd NEVER have to join but I'm so glad that I've found it.

Can you help me decipher some terms?

Ectopic heart beat

PVC's

PAC's

and there are some others that I can't remember right now.  

Thank you so much.

Carla

[jeblondon]

Hi there, First time for me too! I have just posted a very long question/blurb and it has not appeared yet so am hoping someone will reply to yours!  I am in the UK and am amazed at the amount of information and support on this site but am totally confused about a lot of the medical terms.  Here's hoping..

[ireneo]

Ectopic beats (extrasystoles) : premature heart beat
PAC : premature atrial contraction
PVC : premature ventricular contraction

As the heart beats it starts in the atrium with a signal that then travels down to the ventricals. That's why you hear lub-dub. Kind of a part A and part B. Sometimes the signal comes a little early and your heartbeat sounds a bit irregular. If the signal is early in the atrium it's a PAC; if the signal comes early in the ventricles it's a PVC.

[sueinns]

Ectopic beats are irregular heart beats which are usually skipped or extra beats.

PVC's are premature ventricular contractions which are irregular heart beats of the ventricle of the heart.

PAC's are premature atrial contractions which are irregular heart beats of the atrium of the heart.

[jeblondon]

How do you know if you have PAC's or PAF's?  I have been told I have an arythmia in the upper part of my heart.  Great detail we are given here in England huh???

[SillyHeart]

PACs and PVCs are ectopic heartbeats.

[sueinns]

The upper part of your heart is your atrium.  If the palpitations are there, you have PAC's (PAT's same thing)

[sueinns]

It could also be atrial fibrillation.  Best that you know for sure.

[anacyde]

Atrial fibrillation is not defined as "an ectopic heartbeat".

PAC = extra atrial beat.  PVC = extra ventricular beat.  Both are typically benign.  Ectopic beat simply means an extra beat.