Heart Skips beats

[Kpauls]

Okay, so in the past year, I've noticed that my heart sometimes will skip a few beats. It happens most often when I yawn, exercise, or get mad...but sometimes it happens completely unprovoked. Most of these episodes only last a beat or two, but one time last year, I had an episode that lasted about an hour. I immediately consulted my doctor, who ordered an EKG. The EKG appeared normal, however, so my doctor said it was no big deal. But I'm still concerned. I'm an otherwise pretty healthy 16 year old girl...so it's strange to me that this would be happening. Any ideas of what it could be/what I should do? Thanks

[MichelleP_3811]

Everyone will feel skips at some point in their life.  You have either what's called pvcs or pacs or some have both kinds.  Essentially a part of your heart is sending off a signal to fire a beat from a place other than the normal place your heart fires off a beat, the sa node. This extra beat disrupts the normal beat cycle and so the heart will sometimes need to take a moment to reset itself to start the normal cycle again.  It is likely the pause you feel during the resetting rather than the extra beat itself.  Some will have many others will only have a few and still others won't even feel them.  They are completely harmless in an otherwise healthy heart which you likely have.  They can be triggered by changes in breathing, like yawning and when we exercising.  They can be triggered by adrenaline like when you get mad or stressed.  And they can even get triggered sometimes when we eat certain foods.  If you notice any changes in the amount or duration of them then reconsult your doctor and possibly get a more extensive workup on your heart but if not then do not fret about them.  Live your life to the fullest.  Take care and know we are always here if you need to talk to someone.

[caregiver222]

Don't be too concerned. My heart has skipped beats for decades. It hasn't stopped me from hiking, parachuting or flying. Basically, live an absolutely normal life.