Palpitations and fever

  I amd a 57 yr old male in generally good health, non-smoker and only
  occasional wine drinker.
  For 20 years I have had occasional palpitations (skipped beat and slow,
   "heavy" pulse) usually associated with gas pressure in the stomach.
   This has been diagnosed as a vaso-vagal effect, and I've been told it's
   completely benign and I've gotten used to it (though never to the message
   that the heart sends to the brain: "help! do something!).  Belching usually
   stops the palpitations, though I have some trouble doing that since my
  esophagus has no motility in the lower portion.  These episodes are usually
  few and far between (sometimes months).  This week has been different, with
  many episodes every day, even some periods 5 minutes apart.  The usual
  techniques don't stop it.  At the same time, I have a mild fever (about 1
  degree), and feel I am fighting off some kind of infection.  Needless to
  say, I have cut out all alcohol, and practically stopped eating; I'll do
  anything to avoid these "flip-flops" and the associated stab of panic.  After
  all this, my question is: does the fever increase the likelihood of these
  events?  If so, is aspirin a good idea? -- I tend to avoid it because of
  its reputation for causing stomach irritation.  Thanks in advance!

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

Dear Dennis, thank you for your question.  It may be that your fevers are causing you to have more frequent premature beats, but I recommend tylenol to combat the fever which won't irritate your stomach.  Additionally, premature beats are precipitated by alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine so you should avoid those precipitants.  
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.