The ambulatory patient with ectopic beats and episodic tachyarrhythmias.

Ventricular ectopic activity in a young person with an otherwise normal heart usually requires no treatment. In older patients, 10 or more ectopic beats per minute, multiform beats and ectopy occurring close to the preceding beat are indications for drug control. Exercise-induced ectopic beats may respond to physical training. Three or more consecutive ventricular ectopic beats constitute ventricular tachycardia, which requires prevention. Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, when paroxysmal, may be aborted by maneuvers to enhance vagal tone. When they are frequent, treatment is required.