skip beats

Hi,
I am a 31 year old female an consider myself to be quite active. I work out 6 days a week at the gym doing cardio and weighlifting. I am 5'5 and 128 pounds. I've been back in the gym for about 2 months now after taking a few months off due to time constraints. This week I came down with a viral tonsillitus and had fever one night and then it was done. I saw a doctor and he did a swab and the test came back negetive for strep throat. I started on Saturday and today's Wednesday and my throat is back to normal. The only thing is I started getting skip beats on Monday and I am still getting them now and we are Wednesday. I've had them in the past but what has me concerned is why I am getting them now and they wont go away, especially when I have been doing cardio on a regular basis. What do you think could be the trigger? couldit be the virus I just had? Also I went back to the gym today for the first time since last Friday. I thought that maybe by stimulating my heart, it would get rid of them. I would like to know, is it possible that taking a break from the gym somehow triggered the skip beats in my heart ie due to a change of usual pace ? and last but not least, I was told to still excercise when I get them. Is it dangerous to do so?? And is it normal that even with my excersice today I am still getting them? My stress test an ECG were normal last time. I also don't consume much caffeine, like once a day to the most.

thanks,

[CCF HeartMD6]

If you are experiencing palpitations that are new and bothersome (and/or associated with any new symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or light-headedness), it is best to be evaluated fully by a physician where a thorough history and physical can be performed in addition to appropriate diagnostic testing. If your irregular heart beats are intermittent and episodic, a holder monitor might be indicated that can catch your events when they actually occur. Having a recent viral illness can certainly subject you to cardiac inflammation (pericarditis, myocarditis) but cannot be diagnosed just by history alone.

[is_something_wrong]

Hello. I'm not a doctor so it's not this reply you've been waiting for, but what I explain now is important.

When having skipped (premature) beats during exercise after a viral infection, DO NOT continue to exercise without your doctor's approval. Preferrably an internist or cardiologist.

Even normal virus from a cold, flu or throat infection may in rare cases affect the heart and cause a heart inflammation (myocarditis). If you have this condition, exercise may worsen it, in worst case cause serious rhythm disturbances or chronic weakened heart.

I'm not diagnosing you or saying you have this, but see a doctor before you continue to exercise. Avoid taking chances, you may regret it later in your life. Be on the safe side. See a doctor.