heart beats

[thankyou580]

Hi Doctor

Please can you help. I  feel fit and well most of the time and lead a full life.

Ocassionally though I have these episodes when I will feel a little odd, take my pulse and detect a steady heart beat with missed beats every 6/7 beats for about 10 seconds before everything returns to normal. What can this be? The doctor seems unconcerned and says most of the population have these extra beats but just dont notice. Ectopic beats have been mentioned but these seem to be defined as extra beats (which gives the impression of "pauses") rather than "pauses" followed by a few seconds of irregularity as I somethimes experience.

Frequently these beats and irregularity are "caused" by something as simple as getting out of the car and starting walking. Do you have any ideas as my doctors here seem unconcerned. What are the typical syptoms of arrythmia that are dangerous?

Thank you for your time.

[marlinspike]

I have had similar symptoms for 4 years now - 'multiple ectopic' beats. Many others on this forum have had these pauses for years and years without incident. You can always ask for an ecg to reassure you.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Wearing a heart rhythm monitor will show you if a heart rhythm is causing your symptoms.  The most likely explanation is ectopic beats (premature beats from your upper or lower chamber).  Your doctor isn't concerned because you have fainted, no family history of sudden death, chest pains, shortness of breath, waking in the middle of the night short of breath, swelling in your legs, etc.  In healthy people these sensation are almost never dangerous but they just don't feel right and justifiably cause some concern.  Just tell your doctor that you are really worried about them and need some reassurance by knowing what they are.  Your doctor will probably be willing to order the tests to confirm it.  Your doctor is going by the assumption that they are very rarely dangerous and you don't have high risk features.

I hope this helps.