palpitations and normal results

I am a fairly fit 42 year old woman, 117 pounds, 5 feet 3.5 inches. BP 110/70  with normal blood test results including CBC, thyroid and anything else the doctor thought was necessary.  I have had an EKG...and the 24 hr holter.
(  I have a previous history of GERD, which 2 years ago sent me to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack, I was watched over night, constant EKGs...chest xray, all the bloodwork...Doctors said GERD...heart looked great.  )
Just recently felt palpitations with what seemed to be a skipped beat, then a THUD...and fluttering in my neck and chest...happened quite frequently for a week. Along with this...burping and some reflux....  I then went to my doctor...She ordered the bloodwork and the EKG, all normal...Just did the 24 hr. holter...felt lots of those odd sensations, and some palps, although not as severe as before....I got a phone call today from the nurse...results normal...no other explanations...just normal...Should I just relax...or ask for more testing?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Hello,
You should probably ask them what normal means -- they have seen PVCs or PACs but because they consider them normal, they may have just called them normal.  If you ask them to go over the results, there is probably some PVCs/PACs that correlate with your sensations.

The typical work up consists of history/physical, EKG and echo. If all these are normal, the PVC/PACs do not increase your risk of cardiac events but can cause significant symptoms.  I think it is worth asking the questions for your peace of mind.

I hope this answers your questions.  Good luck and thanks for posting.

[Tlc83]

A related discussion, heart palpitaions was started.