Premature atrial complexes (PACs) are extra heartbeats in the atria.
The atria are two chambers in the heart that receive blood from the veins.
PACs are the most common variety ofcardiacarrhythmias.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
This is when the heart beats irregularly, too slow, or too fast.
An estimated 50% of all people with or without heart disease have PACs.
While PACs themselves are usually harmless, some research suggests they may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
This article will explain the symptoms and causes of PACs and how they are treated.
What Are PACs?
The sinus node generates the electrical signal that initiates the heartbeat and controls the heart rate.
The steady heartbeat originating from this node is called sinus rhythm.
PACs momentarily interrupt the normal sinus rhythm by inserting an extra heartbeat.
This is why PACs are often felt as a skip in the heartbeat.
PAC Symptoms
In the large majority of people, PACs do not cause any symptoms at all.
Most people will experience them from time to time.
Some PACs may be triggered by something you consumed.
How Significant Are PACs?
PACs generally are considered by most healthcare providers to be a variation of normal.
Rather than beating regularly, the atria quiver rapidly.
In some people with AFib, PACs are thought to trigger episodes of this arrhythmia.
However, there are situations in which treatment will be considered.
The best way to treat PACs is to avoid the substances that seem to make symptoms worse.
Summary
Premature atrial complexes are the most common pop in of cardiac arrhythmia.
Many people with PACs have no symptoms at all.
Others may feel a skipping sensation or an unusually strong heartbeat.
Almost everyone has them and they rarely require treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of the time, PACs have no known cause.
They are more likely to occur after you’ve consumed certain substances like alcohol or cigarettes.
Stimulant medication may also cause them.
Less commonly, PACs can be related to a heart problem.
A premature atrial complex creates a fluttering sensation in your chest.
Some people describe it as feeling like your heart has skipped a beat.
The contraction may also feel stronger than normal.
In arrhythmia is a heartbeat that has an abnormal rhythm.
The term may describe a heart that beats too fast or too slow.
It may also be used to describe a heartbeat that is irregular.
2018;138(1):e272-e391.
2018;41(1):74-80. doi:10.1002/clc.22853
