Final answer:
Premature beats are early heartbeats that disrupt the heart's regular rhythm and are classified as extra beats; categories include premature atrial, ventricular, and junctional contractions. Symptoms can range from palpitations to chest pain, and diagnosis is typically made with an ECG or Holter monitor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Premature beats are a type of heart arrhythmia characterized by early heartbeats that occur before the heart's regular rhythm. There are different categories of premature beats, and they are classified based on their origin within the heart. The four main groups of arrhythmia are extra beats, supraventricular tachycardias, ventricular arrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias.
Extra beats oftentimes consist of the following:
- Premature atrial contractions (PACs): These occur when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) contract prematurely.
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs): These occur when the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) contract prematurely.
- Premature junctional contractions: These are less common and originate at the AV node, which acts like a junction point between the atria and ventricles.
Arrhythmias may present without symptoms, but when symptoms do occur, they can include palpitations, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Diagnostic tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and Holter monitor are commonly used to identify and categorize these arrhythmias.