PAC

Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC)
Other names	Atrial Premature Beats, Atrial Extrasystole
Specialty	Cardiology
Symptoms	Palpitations, feeling of skipped heartbeats, discomfort in chest
Complications	Rarely leads to more serious heart conditions
Usual onset	Can occur at any age
Duration	Momentary
Causes	Stress, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco; underlying heart conditions
Diagnostic method	Electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitor
Differential diagnosis	Atrial fibrillation, Supraventricular tachycardia
Treatment	Generally none, lifestyle changes, medication if frequent
Medication	Beta blockers, antiarrhythmic drugs
Prognosis	Generally good
Frequency	Common

Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) is a common cardiac arrhythmia characterized by premature heartbeats originating in the atria of the heart. PACs are typically benign and often occur in healthy individuals. They may also be associated with other forms of cardiac arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation.

Symptoms and Signs

The primary symptom of PAC is a feeling of a skipped or extra heartbeat, which can be accompanied by palpitations or an uncomfortable sensation in the chest. Many individuals with PACs do not experience any symptoms and are unaware of their condition until it is detected during a routine electrocardiogram (ECG).

Causes

PACs can be triggered by various factors including stress, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco use. They may also occur in individuals with no apparent heart disease. In some cases, PACs can be linked to underlying heart conditions, such as heart disease or previous heart surgery.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of PAC typically involves the use of an ECG or a Holter monitor, which records the electrical activity of the heart over a period, usually 24 hours or longer. These tests help in identifying the irregular heartbeats and in ruling out other types of arrhythmias.

Treatment

Most individuals with PACs do not require treatment unless they experience significant symptoms or if the PACs occur very frequently. In such cases, treatment may include lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, quitting smoking, and managing stress. Medications such as beta blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs may also be prescribed to control the frequency of PACs.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with PACs is generally good as they are usually benign. However, frequent PACs may sometimes lead to more serious arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, particularly in the presence of other heart conditions.

See Also

• Cardiac electrophysiology
• Heart arrhythmia
• Electrocardiography