Skipped heart beats

[Matt1975]

Hello-

                                                I am a 27 year old male that has been diagnosed with an anxiety/panic
disorder. Quite frequently, I have episodes where my heart seems to skip a beat. I can feel this when I take my pulse. Also, I feel a little bit of a thudding sensation in my chest/abdomen. These episodes occur most often when I am feeling anxious but not always.
I am in good health and am very physically fit. I have had three EKGs all of
                                                which have showed nothing unusual. The doctors I have seen always brush
                                                off my compliant as nothing or "I don't see it on the EKG". I am writing to see
                                                if there is some sort of medical/scientific explaination. What can I do about
                                                this problem because it really bothers me and triggers/exascerbates my
                                                anxiety?

                                                Thanks, Matt

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear Matt,

You are experiencing what is called heart palpitation, which is the sensation of one's own heart beat. These symptoms are very likely related to your anxiety/panic disorder. However, it maybe a good idea to obtain a holter monitor study, which will record the heart's electrical activity for 24 to 48 hours. This will help determine whether or not a rhythm problem is also causing your symptoms. I would also recommend avoiding caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and stimulants such as those found in decongestants. Treatment for your anxiety disorder may also help your symptoms.

Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE

[Trish175]

I also found myself in a similar situation. I had 2 ekg's, both were normal, but I then received an event monitor. Over a period of a few weeks I was able to record these episodes, which showed up the skipped beats.

[flutterfreak]

Matt, I went to the hospital with the same things, and they caught them on the EKG [a FIRST!!].  They told me they were "premature atrial contractions".  What happens is you have a premature beat coming from the atrium, so it's like there's two beats really close together, and that creates a pause between the next heart beat, thus the "skipped" beat...which isn't really a skipped beat at all - just a longer pause.  The "thud" you felt was your heart having to beat extra hard to get the extra blood out that it filled up with during the pause between the extra beat and the regular one.  I was also told that sometimes you can have a tachycardia [fast heart beat] which produces some weaker premature beats in between the normal ones - so weak are they that they are perceived as a "skipped" beat, when in fact the heart is actually beating but it's just a weaker beat and can't really be felt.  

Both these conditions are benign [not life threatening] according to the cardiologists I've heard from.  Unless you have coronary artery disease or a structural abnormality - they're nothing to be concerned about.  But I would go to a cardiologist and wear an event monitor so you can ease your mind.  I wore one for over four weeks and they picked up the strange beats.  

I have anxiety/panic just like you do.  It's AWFUL!  It's so easy for somebody to say "just calm down and relax" when your heart is doing weird things.  After all, we NEED our heart, right?  But....I have found that if I do deep breathing...slow breathing...when these things take place with my heart, I handle them much much much better.  The trick is actually being able to relax!  When the "events" happen, they often feel like fluttering in my chest and that scares the crud out of me.  More often than not, I am unable to relax, but when I've found the strength to do it, the difference is incredible!  I hope that you can practice relaxing, and if need be...get treated for your anxiety.  Also, my doc prescribe Inderal - I only take 10 mg. twice a day, which is the lowest dose from what I understand.  It has helped tremendously with the symptoms.  If you feel you can't handle the symptoms of the heart stuff on your own, perhaps you could look into this. Of course, it's best [healthy wise] to try and manage a "benign" condition without drugs, but if you really struggle with it and it affects your quality of life adversely, then medication can really help.  Do what feels peaceful.  Well, I hope that something I have said has helped, even if it is to know that you are not alone.  God's blessings and best wishes!
Kristy

[littlemissnaughty]

hello everyone i am nannette an i am 20 year old from sydney austrlia and i was born with a heart condition called wolf pasrkison white syndrom and some people think its weired cause i was born with it  and some people only get it when they are tenagers so  i had the operation when i was 12 they put a wire up my leg throw my groin and took xrays of my heart and then they  frisled my extra tiscue or pace maker that was there when i was born as mum says she is glad that i had the operation other wise i would be dead i had a choice and i done it
it can suck a bit but u move on so and i am also in the heart book nown as baby x  if u would like to know more please email me ***@**** ty for your time and for reading my story

[Redbaron]

Welcome to the Forum Nanette :) Good to see that your doing OK.
Matt1975 I know what you are going through, I have suffered with these 'heart palpitations' for the past 6 years. My main problem was that they gradually became something that happened 'now and then', to something that happened 'every time I tried to sleep', and kept me awake for hours every night! I tried many things to stop them, including diets and drugs. I am now on 50mg of Tambocor twice a day, and now I have NO problems at all. I am not saying that you should go on this drug, just that there is relief if you search hard enough for it. Good Luck :)

[Maryboo]

Hi Everyone! This is so funny ,I came here because I to have been having PVC's.I been having them for about 12 years!I'm 36.But I also just beat ovarian cancer.I had heavy chemo.So for the last 3 weeks everyday these darn thing have been borthering me.A friend said try calcium and magnesium.I'm going to ask the DR.'s here about it and also chemo affects.Oh the best med.,is xanax .I also have this axity/panic attacks.

[Arac]

Hi Guys,
I too have this condition whih, believe me, became intrusive to the point of nightmarish proportion. I could not move whatsoever at night, in bed, without an attack kicking off. Eventually I went to the Doc about this, and then onto a specialist. Not only do we have "skipped beats" but also "beat awareness" which in itself can cause skipped beats due to the anxiety of the "beat awareness" and therefore your own mortality which causes.... and so on. It is known as the "anxiety circle" which MUST be broken to combat this. I have managed to get over this awful state (mostly), and wasnt that hard to beat! (excuse the pun). When you feel your heart "skip" REMEMBER as someone else said too, your heart HASN'T STOPPED!!! Its doing what its MEANT TO DO!!!. It has been told, due to a misfiring electrical current to beat again. It does this, and then rests because its done ITS JOB. Then you get a "Thump" (Extra hard beat) and has already been said, this is to clear the extra blood out. What you have to do, is to tell yourself, loudly if needbe, that there is nothing wrong, this is good, as its NORMAL. This WILL break this vicious circle, but it takes practice. I now only get slightly worried when I get a missed beat and then some "fluttering" which I now know is common too, which happens maybe once a month or so. To the lady who can't sleep, I promise, I couldnt even move, and I was very upset/tired/worried etc, but THIS ADDS to the problem. Everyone after me........RELAX, and learn...slowly... to live with it......


Ara

[Matt1975]

Thank you to everyone who has responded.  It makes me feel good to hear from people who have experienced similar things.

[Maryboo]

Matt1975 Thank you for bringing up a good subject!It has made me feel good to know alot of people feel these thing.I hope we all live a long and healthy life!!!!!!

[bruin]

Hi everyone
I have been searching the net for info on this problem for ages. I feel I suffer from "missed Beats" also. I am afraid to go to the doctor though. I had (spelling may be wrong) Patent Ductus Arteriosis (hole in the heart) as a child, I had this corrected though. I have been having this skiped beat probs for a few years now, I can do any amount of work though without problem, I just get the feeling of missed beats (no pains) I even listen with a stethescope to my heart and I DO hear missed beats. I am terrified of having an operation. Though from what I have read here it would probably be a Drug type treatment? If I do go to the doctors what am I to expect? a hospital visit/stay ?
I am 39 yrs old now and had the operation when I was 5, I had no problems with it since, just these missed beats now and over the past 3 years or so.
Look forward to hearing from you,

Thanks.
Bruin.

[Bodene]

Reading your comments, it's nice to know I'm not alone. I am 36 and suffer from tachycardia. I've been taking metoprolol for about 8 years now and it helps to keep my heart from racing out of control. I've had a full cardio exam....stress test...had a heart ultrasound...every kind of blood test known to man. The only thing I didn't have done was the dye test. I don't have chest pains so I opted to avoid that invasive procedure. My heart sometimes skips a beat, or I feel it surge sharply. It's a weird sensation that can be frightening. I sit here wondering if it will get worse as I age. I'm not the most fit person..but I'm terrified of starting an exercise program since I don't want to have a heart attack and croak before I'm 40. I'm just kinda stuck here...listening to my heart beat. Doctors just tell me to take it easy and don't over exert myself. I don't know what else to do. Sorry for the venting..I just wanted you to know that you aren't alone.  *Bodene*

[Bodene]

Bruin...the doctors will do several tests on you that are painless and time consuming. The only thing that's really painful or uncomfy are the dye tests. Since your problem likely is caused by your hole in the heart thing, they'll probably treat you with drugs. They have some awesome drugs out there that cater to virtually every type problem. I bet they have a drug that was created especially for people with your condition. The doctor might say...yup..lotsa folks have that...take these once a day and you'll be rockin.   I urge you to go. I was terrified to go get my workup done last year, but I did it...and afterwards thought..heck..I shoulda done that ages ago. The peace of mind it gives you to actually KNOW what is going on is much better than the risks you are taking by hiding from it. If you have kids or a family that know about this...trust me...they are worried too. If you can go get looked at...then relay the info to them...it will ease their fears as well. Hope my straight forward comment doesn't offend anyone...but I felt compelled to say something. Peace, Bodene

[Gustav]

At last - some kind of support network. I suffer the good old ectopic nightmare too. I used to get one or two now and again and treated them as a curiosity rather than anything else. After a particulary stressful and exciting year they got more frequent and became a daily part of my life. Sitting reading - I get a surge feeling or an ectopic. After a run the same. Lying in a certain position, the same again. Bending over to tie a shoelace. There seems to be only a partial logic to it. Some days are worse than others. I had all relevant tests, stress, ecg, echo, blood, and was basically told that i had a healthy heart and not to worry. Some reassurance did help the symptoms but just when you think you may have won the battle, the sensations reappeared with a vengeance - plunging me again into a fearful depression! I took all the doctors advice. Keep fit, moderation in everything, plenty of fruit and veg and no smoking. I lost weight, looked great but still was being worn down by the ectopic-ness of my life. And boy does it feel lonely. It's not something I feel I want to share with my friends.You walk down the street feeling sorry for yourself and look at other strolling merrily along crying 'Why me?'
Anyhow, next week i am having another round of tests - I have given into the fear again..!. I am still scared. Some days I can be brutal with myself and tell myself to stop being a worried idiot and that those seemingly healthy 'not a care in the world' people probably have more to worry about than I do.
My resting heartbeat is naturally low - in the mid forties so I guess any sensations are magnified. But at least i have just found this site..!
Good luck to us all...we will outlive everyone!

[bruin]

Thanks for your comments.
I would like to know,
Is smoking and coffee and alcohol anything to do with this problem
I do smoke, and the reason I ask is, when I wake in the morning obviously I havnt smoked all night, I feel well with no skipped beats. Its when the day progresses and the smoking maybe , and this is when I get the problem, or at least i think its that way.
I really do value the comments, and at least I now know that I am not alone in this,

Thankyou,

Bruin.

[Bodene]

I too smoke...and typically feel pretty smooth in the morning. But as the day progresses it peaks and wains. I'm not sure what effect the nicotine would have on it...but it is a stimulant so it might have a direct connection. I try to avoid caffeine after say 5pm since it seems to affect my heartrate at night when I try to sleep. To remedy that I use sleep meds. I wish I could stop my tobacco use, but heck...we all need at least one vice , don't we? =)

[sheryl1945]

I'm a 57 year old woman and have episodes of skipped beats.  They occur primarily when I'm bending over; the beat stays irregular until I stand up straight.  I've had every heart test in the book and the results all came back normal.  I take tenormin for rapid heartbeat and it works very well on me.  I have terrible anxiety; have been hospitalized 13 times for severe depression/anxiety.  I am TERRIFIED of this skipping in my heart.  Why does it occur when I bend over?  No doctor has explained this to me and I'm scared to death, expecting to fall over dead every time I have to bend over.   Please help me!  (Would you believe I had to take a half mg of xanax just to write this??)  I live in constant fear of the skipped/irregular beats.  I do have two 60% blockages in two arteries but they told me they don't need to be treated at this point in time; in the future I may have to have angioplasty (which doesn't scare me).  I told the cardiologist about the irregular beat when I bend over and he just shrugged his shoulders.  I'm praying this is benign and nothing to worry about.  PLEASE help me, I'm so scared!

[Gustav]

I am not a doctor but I have the same thing. Mine usually occurs when I bend over or when I lie on my back. 2 days ago I saw a Cardio (one of the very best in the UK) and explained this bizarre phenomenon, he told me that it happens to most people - it's just that people like us are hypersensitive and therefore so much more AWARE of what is going on in our bodies. For example he said that if you ask most people do they 'hear' their own heartbeat, they will reply no. In fact I asked my sister the same thing the other day and asked her what her resting pulse is and she said she had no idea. We are so acutely tuned into the heart muscle we detect every slight wobble and arrythmia - despite the fact that EVERYONE has them. They just dont feel it.
A doctor or Cardio that shrugs their shoulders at fears connected with benign irregularities is only guilty of dealing with our fears in an insensitive way. I, for example need lots of reassurance or my worry increases. I don't need a doctor who looks at me pitifully and says 'no idea bud' and send me on my way. If that is your case - change your MD or specialist!
You are not alone. Try  not to be scared. If a Cardio tells you thay can find nothing wrong then maybe, just maybe they are right. And what we experience really is just 'one of those things'! The mind and the body are so interconnected that you have to break the cycle. The more we worry the worse the skipped beats happen.
I too think constantly that i will drop down dead. But, you know what, I wont. And nor will the MILLIONS of others who experience what we do. Good luck and make plans for the future!

[sheryl1945]

I can't thank you enough for posting a comment to me.  I'm so glad I'm not alone in this!  I have a definite "heart neurosis" and am sensitized to each beat of my heart it seems.  I get a lot of skipping when I bend over, but to tell you the truth I feel just fine and have no other symptoms.  Someone recommended I order books by Claire Weekes and I am going to do so.  Although I feel physically fine, my nerves are another story!  So tired of worrying about my heart.  Thanks again for writing; I got much comfort from your comments.

[stirz4]

I am so pleased to have found so much information on this subject of skipped beats. I too am really paranoid about this happening and it really gets me down, I get awful anxiety.  My problem has only started since I got pregnant with my 3rd child.  The docs told me it would go away when I delivered, but guess what, it didn't! Funny thing is I used to get these odd beats before my monthly cycle for a day and never thought anything of it.
In fact it almost runs my life (which I know sounds really pathetic).  It's almost like the fear of it happening makes it happen even more.  I have recently had an echo, stress test etc done and although my echocardiogram results showed - i'll quote here 'a suggestion of a small floppy segment of the anterior mitral valve with trivial mitral regurgitation' my consultant said that it was within normal limits and would not be causing any problems and that it was NOT mitral valve prolapse. All my other tests were completely normal. I am starting an anti-anxiety med on Monday in the hope that this will calm me down a bit as I know my anxiety makes it worse.  It's strange to see so many of us affected by the same thing, I didn't realise it was so common.  Julie

[sheryl1945]

My skipped beats also cause me much anxiety...I'm no doctor, but I do think that once we become overly concerned with them, the anxiety causes them to increase.  Wish I could get my mind off my heart!  I take xanax which helps the anxiety greatly, but I don't take as much as I'm supposed to because I don't want to get too dependent upon it.  Self-defeating, I suppose.  Have had the skipping beats for YEARS but they still scare me!

[rick1234]

For those of you that have these skipped beats (PVC's or PAC's), as you know they can be a real pain.  I have found a few things that could help aleviate these.  First, as suggested by the docs, eliminate caffiene.  BUT...ALL caffiene.  No chocolate, coffee etc.  Also try to eliminate MSG.  This is found in a lot of foods and not always labeled as MSG.  Try to avoid things with "natural flavoring". If you smoke, stop.  I know some of these changes are more difficult that others but if you really can't stand these skipped beats, you should make every effort to make them stop. If you drink alcohol, i recommend cutting back on that too. Also, try taking a magnesium - calcium supplement.  Look for a product that has 1000mg of calcium and 500mg of magnesium. Take this on a daily basis and give it at least 30 days straight to potentially see an improvement.(if you are on any meds, please run this by your doctor first) Try to incorporate some exercise like walking and do some stress reduction like meditation.  Do I follow all these rules myself?  well, diet wise yes but I need to spend more time on the exercise and stress.  I realize that when one feels bad, it is not easy to do all these things.  The average person that doesnt know what these feel like has no way in truly understanding what you are going through.  Come here to talk because sometimes when you know you are not alone in something, it feels better.

rick

[Gustav]

Wise words Rick. It is all about taking positive action rather than sitting in fear of the next 'skip'. For those who are having a bad day, I went to see a third Cardiologist last week. If only I got air miles per visit. All tests were fine. His final words were: 'It is a completely benign phenomena. No one has ever died from this and i'm not saying that to imply that you will be the first.' He was the first one then to ask how I can break the fear factor cycle. In a sense it is whatever works for you. I have tried (with some sucess) accupunture. My therapist is very down to earth and listens to my anxieties and trates me accordingly. The first one I saw was too clinical and wore a white coat. No good for me. The lady I see now offers treatment and therapy - a perfect combination. In fact she sees me as a bit of a challenge.
Harking back to Rick. Take positive action don't sit and wait...
Wishing everyone a peaceful holiday season. R E L A X !

[karie]

Rick had a wonderful posts and thanks for sharing on healthy living and our hearts and nervous systems.
I am taking 250 mg. Magnesium, 500 Calcium , Multi- Vit and Klor-Con eff tablets in water for potassium which can stop pvc's for 4 hours at times. Walk daily and follow all guidelines. Have you been told symptoms will progress with years so saty of betas until needed ? Any tests helful in your diagnosis? Any heart murmurs, mvp ?

[rick1234]

as far as treatment for these things, (other than the elimination of various substances and taking a suppliment or two) I have been told that taking meds (assuming you do not have heart disease and have been told by a cardiologist that they are benign), can give you more problems.  Some people that have them so bad where they effect their life (they can't function or work etc), beta blockers have been helpful.  Honestly, I think stress plays a huge part as well as anxiety.  Many people have these but don't even realize it unless it is pointed out to them.  some of us are just more sensitive and in tune to our bodies.  once we know of them, we tend to focus on them more and more and this in turn starts that cycle that is difficult to break.  One other thing i think i forgot in a prior post was taking 1 tbls of flax oil a day.  this may or may not help with the skippys but it is good for ones heart.  Buy the refrigerated oil and not the capsules.  While not as conveneient, it is more effective.

good luck!

rick