ECTOPIC HEART BEATS - COULD THEY BE DAMAGING MY HEART?

Can ectopic heart beats, PVCs and PACS damage the heart?

Today I wanted to do a video to hopefully reassure patients why ectopic beats do not cause damage to the heart.

The heart is a pump and its role is to get oxygen rich blood to our organs. To function most effectively as a pump the heart has to beat at a certain optimal rate and in a regular rhythm. If the heart goes too slow or too fast it becomes less efficient and less effective. If it beats irregularly it beats less effectively. It therefore is reasonable to say that any heart rhythm disturbance makes the heart beat less effectively but only for the duration of the heart rhythm disturbance. So when we get an extra beat, what is happening is this:

Now as you can see it is not that there is no blood coming out of the heart during the extra beat. It is just that there is less blood coming out of the heart at that time but the next beat that comes along a little later and is felt as thud, more than compensates and essentially terminates that very transient period of inefficiency.

For damage to occur, there has to be a sustained lack of blood going around the body which would then mean that the cells within our organs would starve of oxygen and eventually die. In ectopics beats by definition are non-sustained. The period of inefficiency is so transient that it is simply not long enough to cause harm. The minute you get the thud, you know that the period of inefficiency is over.

Let me demonstrate this by using an analogy.

Imagine someone compressing my neck. Sure it feels uncomfortable but it is not dangerous, unless I compress the neck for a sustained period of time. If I compress the neck for less than a second and let go then it is highly unlikely that I will cause the person to die of suffocation. I could compress the neck as many times as I wish but I will not suffocate the patient unless I keep compressing for a sustained amount of time.

Ectopic heart beats by definition are non-sustained beats and therefore there is not going to be a period of sustained inefficiency and this is why they absolutely do not damage the heart.

[Malibrouj]

I could just cry, your videos make me emotional, because I feel less alone. I feel validated. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos for those of us that really suffer from horrible anxiety due to these ectopic heart beats. I pray that you are blessed beyond measure!

[deannashaw]

I love this man. He says more than my Cardiologist does

[beauford]

Dr. Gupta is the absolute best cardiologist in the world!

[curiouskitty]

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, you have given me back quality of life! I have had palpitations for over 30 years and never understood them until I found you! I have lived in fear for over 30 years! Thank you! Many, many Blessings to you!

[BaseballinHeaven]

Dr. Gupta is a Godsend! Hippocrates would be proud of this man. I know I am. 🙏🏼

[Clovelaurel]

I have these almost daily and horrible anxiety surrounding them. Cardiologist said it’s just “missed” beats but you explained it so much more clearly. Thank you!

[Navygrl]

If it wasn’t for your channel Dr. I think I’d be in a rubber room! Thank you so much for the reassurance that you give all of us! God bless you.

[Gingerbearded]

at the end he says thank you so much for your time.
no man, thank YOU so much for taking the time to explain these things to us that drive us insane
<3

[heyesfan]

Thank you SO MUCH for this. I have had these PVCs for the past 45 years, alarmed by them at first (lots of doctors and tests, etc.), then learned to live with them and not be frightened by them anymore. But now at age 65, I begin to wonder if they have taken a toll on my heart for more than 4 decades. You're reassuring me that they haven't and I can't tell you what sweet relief I'm feeling right now, complete with tears of gratitude. Thank you. Your kindness in sparing so many of us the anxiety of PVCs is greatly appreciated. More than you can know.

[ghostcircuitry]

CoQ10 has done wonders on my PVCs. It’s not a cure but the difference has been very noticeable. These things are absolutely terrifying, every major pvc attack feels like I’m going to die. It’s traumatizing

[LettyK]

I love Dr Sanjay's sincerity, he really cares for those of us with heart deficiencies setting aside time to make these informative and often reassuring videos. 😊

[thomashill]

If every doctor was as reassuring and descriptive as you the world would be a much better place! I’ve had PVCs since COVID and after finding your videos it has helped tremendously with my health anxiety. God bless you Dr. Gupta.

[shirleygreaves]

Thanks for this, I’ve suffered from this for many years, it’s quite frightening at times. Doctors told me it’s not dangerous but have never explained why. You just did thank you for this. X

[kattah]

I needed to hear this. I've been dealing with these constantly for 5 months now. I've had them for 2 years, off and on. Now they're just here to stay. The cardiologist I saw was so dismissive and said I didn't need him, have a good day. That should have been reassuring in itself, but it feels so off. To have started out of nowhere. I've been sure it's causing some damage. Thank you for this reassurance. Anxiety does not cause these. They can make them worse. But THEY cause anxiety. I'm tired of being told I'm just anxious. They're a real thing I'm feeling. Thank you for that validation.

[catherineslovak]

Dr. Gupta, I’ve learned more about ectopic heartbeats and gained more re-assurance from you than I have from any other doctor. God bless you!

[bambina]

Dr Gupta you must cause lots of heart fluttering when you walk the wards!! So handsome!!
But seriously, thank you so much for all you do to reassure those of us who suffer from palpitations etc. Always informative and interesting ❤

[FabioF.-fzmo]

Dr Gupta. We simply would need more doctors like you 🙏🙏

[readerfocus]

A validating doctor with a plethora of knowledge in his head, educating the patients with his sincerity to the fullest

[jaredteymury]

“Thank you so much for you’re time” at the end is just the sweetest thing, but no sir, THANK YOU so much for YOUR time. Everytime I feel these sensations I get the worst anxiety and literally convince myself I’m dying, then I pop on one of your videos and I’m safe. Thank you

[arees]

Thank you for the review of irregular heart problems Doc, it really helps me who suffers from multiple PVCs. This is very disturbing when it appears, and makes people feel worried and afraid... I hope everyone who suffers gets a speedy recovery...