Sudden, Irregular Heart Beats

For about a year now, i've been experiencing these odd, harsh heart beats. It feels like I have a very strong, very angry bird in my chest, and it usually only lasts a few seconds. Sometimes i'm forced to take a deep breath.

At first it only happened on occasion at random times. As it grew more recent, I began to realize that it happens most often when i'm doing something straining, like exercising (though it does still happen when i'm resting every now and then). Now it happens commonly throughout the week, the most recent being this afternoon as I was running up stairs to get to class.

At this point i'm starting to feel so tired mentally and physically (like when you've had the hiccups too long, kind of tired), not to mention worried, that i'm finally considering seeing a doctor (a trip I like to avoid, if possible). But first, i'd like to know if anyone has an idea of what this may be? Help would be greatly appreciated.

~Katie

[Jerry_NJ]

By all means get a medical check-up.

Also, think about what is happening before you have the irregular HB.  Did you have a bad night, not a good rest, or have you been drinking a lot of cola or eating a chocolate... any unusual intake of caffeine.  What about your diet in general, any correlation with what you eat or when you eat.

It is unlikely a person you age has any serious heart condition, but play it safe and talk with you family doctor to see if a check my a specialist may be necessary.