I am a 41 year old female. I have been having heart palpitations for a few days straight now, but today they are worse. They have made me feel very fatigued today in particular. My palpitations feel like an anxious feeling, but I am not abnormally anxious or stressed about anything. Every few minutes or so during the palpitations I get one strong beat that feels like it is in my throat, and it gives a sudden but not severe tightness in my upper back. Then I feel a sudden shortness of breath, like I need to catch my breath. I have had palpitations before, very occassionally, for a couple of years. I had them a lot when I was in my first trimester with my last child, about 2 years ago, but they never went on for days, throughout the entire day. They only lasted a couple of minutes at a time. I am on the 250 dose of Advair for asthma, but I only take one dose a day, instead of the prescribed 2 doses a day. I don't feel a need to take more than that. I also take LoEstrin FE 24 birth control pills. I don't smoke (not since age 16), and am not around smokers. I am not more than 10 lbs overweight, and I drink maybe one glass of wine a week. I also do not have a history of high blood pressure, and my cholesterol count is good. Currently though, I have not been exercising. I have had a lot of headaches lately also, so I have been taking ibuprofin almost every day lately, but only 400 to 600 mgs a day when I needed it. I have 5 children, ages 17 years to 15 months, and I am a stay-at-home mom and part-time (very part-time) college student. I have the regular stresses, but nothing worse than before. Good marriage, wonderful husband, which keeps me sane when the going does get rough. ;-) I am worried about these palpitations because they seem to be getting worse, and there has been no break in the past few days. I have aunts on both sides of my family (one each) that have died of heart disease. I have a large family, but only know of those two (blood relatives) as having a history of heart disease. Any insight you might be able to share with me? I know I don't usually drink enough fluids though. Can this be part of the problem? Should I get this checked out, or should I see if this becomes more frequent and problamatic? Thanks for your help!