heart skips a beat and strangles me.

[vjenkins269]

I have had this happen in the past a few times but lately it is happening alot. I will start by saying that I have a Mitro Valve Prolapse and I do have it checked every couple of years. I have started to feel my heart starting to skip a beat (which I was told is common with a MVP so I never worried about it but now I feel my heart almost stop a couple of beats and it goes up into my throat and starts to feel like it is strangling me and so bad that a couple of times I have lost my vision for a few seconds and then the sensation goes away and my vision comes right back. I also start to sweat and feel like I am in a sauna. I am 44 years old I am otherwise very healthy I am 5'6" and weigh 130 pounds. I eat very healthy and don't drink or smoke. Is this common for MVP or should I have it checked.

[bypeep]

Jenkins,

You are probably getting a short run of palps and this is causing the longer pause and strangling sensation.  I get several different types of palps and one of them is exactly how you describe.  It feels like my heart is pausing for the span of 2-3 heartbeats and the whole while it's like it's climbed up into my throat and I get a ton of pressure right in the hollow.  Very disconcerting.

But, if you read this forum you'll notice that there are 3 (maybe more) types of palps that can cause this sensation so the only way to be sure of what is generating it is with monitoring.

If I were you, and this were becoming bothersome, or the events were happening for longer periods or more frequently, I would ask to be monitored.  

Most GP's will order a 24 hour first so you'll have to be clear about how often this is happening.  If it's a daily thing than that should cover you.  If it's sporadic, but happens at least once a month, be very clear about this and maybe they can get you a 30-day.  If your GP doesn't seem phased and just brushes you off - ask for a cardio referral.

You're also at the perfect age for hormones to come into play with your palps.  Maybe you had just the occasional skip before, but now that they are fluctuating, your heart could be slightly more excitable.  

Go back and explain the change to your doc and see what the monitoring turns up.  Since you have had good care with your MVP, you'll probably find that this is very benign, but at least you'll have the reassurance.  

[jkfrench]

Skips can feel different based on where they are originating from in the heart and how soon or later the valves close after the skip.  (that is what my doctor told me anyway)
I always would call my doctor with any new feeling associated with my skips but he never seemed concerned.  I have also felt them in my throat and pauses that were a little longer than normal.  There are just so many feelings associated with these things that I think is part of the reason we can't be completely at ease with them.
Take care  Jodie
skippinghearts.com