Skipping Beats

For about 2 weeks now, I have noticed a jumpy feeling in my chest and have, with the aid of a stethescope (mother in law is a nurse) actually heard it skip a beat.  It is totally random, occurs many many times throughout the day, but is not accompanied by any pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, neck,arm,or shoulder issues, nothing but the skipped beat.  I am 47 years old, began having irregular periods about 1 1/2 years ago, hot flashes come and go, sometimes 20 a day and other times not for a month, which would indicate menopause or at least perimenopause.  I've heard that the heart issue could be related to the perimenopause.  I also have a history of hypothyroid (mom takes medication), and am tired alot but I'm not sleeping well or enough (4-5-6 hours a night)  I smoke 15 cigs a day, have one cup of coffee in the AM and maybe a diet coke with dinner but no excessive caffeine intake.  I don't drink.  My blood pressure has always been on the low side, actually.  Financial stress and always having too much to do (a husband, a busines, and 2 kids 7 and 15) are an issue, too.  So...is it anxiety, thyroid, perimenopause, stress, smoking, what??  Do I quit smoking, eliminate my morning coffee, take Lexapro, and try hormone therapy for the menopause??!!!  Going to the doctor soon.

[Cleveland Clinic]

I don't know what you have or what is causing it. I suggest that you see your doctor and get an EKG. If the irregular beat is not present then you may need a Holter monitor. It may ba a PAC or a PVC, both of which are innocuous if the heart function is preserved. To document this you may also need an echocardiogram.