Irregularity??????

[brandi]

     Hi, I'm a 25yr old female with no major problems other than GERD,mild mvp, and occasional pac's. However, today, I was laying on my left side and I guess I had my fist up against my chest(I guess because I was cold or something), anyways all of a sudden I could feel what felt like it beating irregularly and fast. I was in total shock so I sat up and felt it again, and it was totally normal. I mean, it's hard for me to just go off of that since I wasn't sitting there feeling it with my palm or listening with a stethoscope so I don't know exactly how accurate it was. Should I be concerened? I've checked it several times since then and it's normal. Plus, when it was supposedly beating funny, I didn't even feel it like I feel the pac's. I wasn't light headed or sob. I have severe anxiety disorder and I'm sooo stressed now. Please give me some advice. Thanks, Brandi

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Thanks for the comments.

[John Salamone]

I have pains in my left side and my heart seems to beat hard when I am laying down too, and it scares the heck out of me.  About a year ago I got arrythmia and was cured but now I have mild anxiety about the whole thing.  I take asprin and Zantac and that sometimes works.

[martie]

Brandi, I really wouldn't worry about what you felt,with your fist. Almost all of my adult life I have gotten occasional strange beats like you described while laying on my left side. Other people I have talked to have said the same thing and that it goes away as soon as they change positions or sit up. I get pvc's and take a beta-blocker but I know what you are describing and it isn't the same as skipped beats. I don't actually feel the irregular beats in my chest when  laying on my left side either but I sometimes feel it against my rib cage and when I take my pulse at that time I feel the irregular fast beats which go away as soon as I sit up. I've been having this since I'm an adult and I am now 47 and still alive. You did mention that you have mitral valve prolapse and my doctor said it is very common to have "positional" irregular heartbeats with MVP, meaning your heart will act up in certain positions. He told me his wife can't have dental work done in a reclined position because her heart "takes off" in that position. I hope I eased some of your concern. Martie

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Holidays can be stressful times!  There are a number of things that can cause these type of sensations including PVCs and PACs.  If you are having any chest pain, dizziness or other symptoms you should go to the emergency room.