Low Burden Ectopics

Posted by tessdein @tessdein, Mar 12 3:57pm

I recently noticed through taking my pulse many times for resting heart rate that I occasionally have ectopic heart beats. 2-3 per hour seems to be the average. Is this normal? I don’t typically feel then but just pick them up in my pulse. I’m 59 and female

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gloaming | @gloaming | Mar 12 10:16pm

Yes, every heart has ectopy now and then. The upper limit for ectopy is about 3%, and you would be very safely, and well, below that. What you want to keep an eye on is if it's bigeminy or triplets, or longer runs. These conditions are indicative of the need for a baseline ECG and to determine if the burden really is low/high and not a counting error.
It is admirable that you are so attuned to yourself that you picked up on the ectopy....good for you! Now don't be shy of seeking a formal assessment of your heart's condition, especially early so that if there is any progression, or rather deterioration, you will be right on top of it as well as your cardiologist.

harveywj | @harveywj | Mar 13 9:10am

Here is a good short article on ectopic heart beats.
https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/medical-articles/are-ectopic-heartbeats-dangerous
This doc puts a burden of 10% in the safe zone. Yet others say it can be safe even higher.
Last year I had a period recorded on a 4 week monitor 25% of my beats were ectopic. That was very uncomfortable but not terrible unsafe. They thankfully stopped.

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