Issue with my heart... any ideas?

[MostPeopleCallMeJim]

My heart feels like it stops (possibly skipping a beat) then thumps real hard (once) before returning to normal.  Been to a cardiologist years ago, had echo done (twice), wore a halter monitor (twice), and have done a tread mill test.  Used to happen once an hour or two, sometimes as little as once a day... now happening up to three to four times a minute.  Happens more when I lay flat on my back, sitting up straight in a chair or lying on my left side.  Also seems to happen more frequently after I eat, or exercise.  Now beginning to get painful when it occurs.  My age is 34, height is 5-10, weight 170.  I actively go to the gym, take a multivitamin, fish oil and a baby aspirin daily.  My diet is healthy (low sodium, lower saturated fat), and I seldom drink alcohol (maybe once a week) and don't smoke/use tobacco.  What could be causing this?  Blockage?  Leakage?  Weak Valve?  Thanks for your feedback!

[concerned_kiddo]

SVT is going to be a rapid run of heart beats > 130 beats per minute and continue for a duration - not just 1 beat!  THinking PVC!  

[ChatterAlly]

The strange thing about my skipped beats is that the rhythm was the same.  Just had  skipped beat that could be felt.

[10rednails]

Thanks for posting your concern. I as well have the same feeling and sometimes in a row. They are not fun by any means and Drs always say PVC. I am interested in what you find out as well.

[ed34]

I am confused about the Aspirin, perhaps someone can enlighten me?
I have read where Aspirin may be used to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, but what exactly are they calling coronary heart disease? I have always thought that Aspirin was an anticoagulant which acts on the platelets in the blood. I can understand that Aspirin may decrease the risk of a clot, but heart disease? Isn't heart disease related to the artery lining/immune system/cholesterol? and as far as I'm aware, Aspirin has no effect on this. Wouldn't far greater results be achieved by keeping blood pressure to a low/normal range in people with a history of heart disease?

[erijon]

These sound like common PVCs to me. The missed beats are actually early beats due to an electrical issue allowing the lower chamber of your heart to fire too early. What you feel is a pause as the rest of the heart resets, during the pause the left ventricle has time to fill with more blood than normal which makes the next beat much harder. This pattern can repeat several times per hour to several times per minute without being dangerous.

These are pretty harmless, but you should mention it to your doctor.

Hope this helps,

Jon

[MostPeopleCallMeJim]

Thank you for the reply.  It was really bad today.  I decided to go see my doctor, however my doctor was booked but I was able to see a prompt care doctor in the same facility.  He suggested that it was PVCs and that I shouldn't worry.  He told me most people have this condition, albeit some worse than others, and there is no threat of heart failure or attacks due to this condition.  I will look into what you had mentioned (supraventricular tachycardia) and speak with my normal doctor on this if things don't improve soon.  I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post, Ally.  Thank you again, Take Care!!!

Jim  

[MostPeopleCallMeJim]

The baby aspirin was recommended by my doctor.  She said it would be good for me to take on a daily basis to help thin my blood and to prevent possibility of blockages.  I thought it was strange to hear that at age 34, but I figured, she is the doctor.  My wife's doctor (different than mine) also recommended the same advise for her and my wife is 35.

[ed34]

Why would you be taking a baby aspirin every day?