Heart Feels Like it Skips a Beat (along with other symptoms)

[den985]

Not sure if  these are Heart Palpitations or something more serious?

I had an ekg and echocardiogram about 4 or 5 months ago and everything appeared okay according to the doc.

Anyway, I've been frequently (almost daily) being getting this weird sensation in my chest where it feels like my heart skips a beat and then right after it feels like I'm going to faint for about 2 seconds and then after feel 100% okay. It's very hard for me to put into words what the sensation is, but it feels like I get a small lump in my throat, my chest tightens up a bit, everything kind of fades out (like I'm going to faint), and I get a little dizzy. These feelings occur right after my heart feels like it skips a beat. Again, after about 2 seconds, I feel completely okay.

I already had an EKG and Echocardiogram so I figure these two tests would pick up any potential heart issues. Is this normal for a palpitation or should be I concerned / ask for a second opinion?

Some additional notes about me:

* 26 year old male
* I've had breathing issues for the past year or so that have gone undiagnosed (where I lose my breath very easily).
* I have stomach issues that have been diagnosed as being IBS.

Appreciate any insight on what this could be! I don't want to go to the same doctor because I feel like by repeatedly going I'll come off as a "hypochondriac" and my symptoms will be brushed off.

[madamebrianne]

Hello,

Please look into Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). It is a very unheard of nervous system disorder that prevents the body from being able to properly adjust to the pull of gravity. Therefore, symptoms arise, such as: rapid heart rate upon standing, low or high blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, sweating, anxiety-like symptoms, headaches, shortness of breath, inability to exercise, digestion problems, etc. The symptoms are endless and vary person to person day to day. Very few doctors are familiar with this illness and often misdiagnose patients.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Best wishes,
Brandi

[MichelleP_3811]

If you were not having the symptoms at the time you were hooked up to the ekg it very well could come back as normal.  Many heart issues are transient and they can only be diagnosed if captured on a monitor of some sort.  I would go back to the doctor and push to get a holter monitor if you have these little episodes daily or a 30 day monitor if you have them at least once a month.  The holter will record everything your heart is doing for a 24 to 48 hour period.  The 30 day will sometimes record events on its own or you will have to self record.  The one I had you had to self record.  No one can say for certain what exactly is going on, it could be simple ectopic beats, pacs or pvcs, it could be some sort of tachycardia or you could be having pauses or blocks of some sort but considering you feel as though you will pass out and you have times were you lose your breath I would suggest following up with the doctor stating that you are still having symptoms and being specific about the severity of them.  A lot of times doctors will initially surmise you are fine unless you come back and really instill in them what the issue is and that you would like to get it captured and diagnosed.  So I would say do go back and push to get a monitor to catch whatever is going on.  Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.