What is the difference between ventricular premature beats and atrial premature beats?

Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
Updated on September 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

Ventricular premature beats and atrial premature beats have no different clinical symptoms; both present feelings of chest tightness and shortness of breath. They require an electrocardiogram (ECG) for diagnosis, where the differentiation between ventricular and atrial premature beats is made based on the differences in the waveform. Whether it is ventricular or atrial premature beats, if they are caused by discriminatory heart disease, it is necessary to treat the primary disease under the guidance of a doctor, while also correcting the premature beats. If the premature beats are caused by autonomic dysfunction, it is necessary to ensure rest, balance work and leisure, appropriately increase aerobic exercise, and enhance the heart's rhythmicity.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Cai Li E
Cardiology
1min 11sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of ventricular premature beats?

Ventricular premature beats often have no specific symptoms, whether there are symptoms and the severity of the symptoms depend on the individual's feeling, and are not directly related to the frequency of the ventricular premature beats. Some people may experience noticeable symptoms even with only a few premature beats. Others might have many premature beats but no symptoms, and ventricular premature beats may only be discovered during a physical examination or when consulting for other diseases. Ventricular premature beats are generally characterized by palpitations, a feeling of skipped beats or a sensation of rapid elevator movements akin to a loss of weight or a forceful heart beat after compensatory pause, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and chest tightness. Patients with severe organic heart disease who experience frequent long-term ventricular premature beats may develop angina, hypotension, or heart failure.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
48sec home-news-image

Are frequent ventricular premature beats serious?

Frequent ventricular premature beats can be serious depending on the specific circumstances; some cases are more severe, while others are not. If the frequent ventricular premature beats occur on the basis of severe heart diseases such as severe heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or are caused by severe hypokalemia, these cases of frequent ventricular premature beats are relatively severe. They carry the risk of progressing to malignant arrhythmias leading to sudden cardiac death, thus requiring prompt and active management to prevent adverse outcomes. In healthy individuals, frequent ventricular premature beats triggered by factors such as staying up late or fatigue are generally not serious. They can quickly recover with adequate rest and sufficient sleep.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
50sec home-news-image

Can premature ventricular contractions be cured?

Ventricular premature beats are a relatively common type of cardiac arrhythmia clinically, divided into benign and malignant premature beats. Benign premature beats refer to physiological premature beats occurring in healthy individuals, caused by autonomic dysfunction due to excessive drinking, smoking, staying up late, etc. This type of premature beat does not require medicinal treatment; it can heal itself through adjusting lifestyle, enhancing nutrition and exercise, resting adequately, and quitting smoking and drinking. Malignant premature beats caused by organic heart disease can also achieve clinical cure if the primary disease is treated early and antiarrhythmic drugs are used simultaneously.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
59sec home-news-image

Can you exercise with premature ventricular contractions?

Whether or not one can exercise with ventricular premature beats depends on the nature of the premature beats and the underlying disease causing them. Premature beats can be seen in healthy individuals and may occur due to instability in the autonomic nervous system. Patients with this type of premature beat can benefit from aerobic exercise, which can enhance cardiac contractility and improve cardiac conduction, aiding in the recovery from premature beats. However, in cases of severe ventricular premature beats caused by organic heart disease, it is necessary to rest and avoid excessive exercise, as overexertion can increase the cardiac load and exacerbate the premature beats. Patients with premature beats should follow the guidance of a doctor and use effective medication for management.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
50sec home-news-image

How to treat premature ventricular contractions?

Ventricular premature beats require an electrocardiogram to determine the frequency and nature of the premature beats, and a comprehensive judgment is made in conjunction with the medical history. Ventricular premature beats can be seen in the normal population, and in some cases, they occur in individuals with unstable autonomic nerve function. This group of people does not need drug treatment. Paying attention to rest, engaging in appropriate exercise, and regulating the autonomic nerves can make the premature beats disappear. In patients with organic heart disease who experience frequent premature beats, it is necessary to choose antiarrhythmic drugs for adjustment and treatment under the guidance of a doctor.