Skipped Heartbeat

[charliecon]

Hi,  I'm a 35year old femal.  Normally health.  Don't smoke, drink alcohol or take caffine.  I've recently been experiencing skipped heartbeats.  Sometimes 4 times per minute lasting for periods of approx 15 mins. Other days it happens about 6 times per day.  I've had an ECG done which came back normal but this is sill causing me much anxiety.  Should I be concerned? Is this normal?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

When someone comes to my office with concerns like this, I usually do a history and physical exam, EKG and echoardiogram.  Rarely, other tests are necessary.  If they are normal, this isn't something you need to worry about.  PVCs are common.  The degree to which they cause symptoms is variable.

If you think you are going to worry about it too much, call you doctor and talk to them about it.  They may feel comfortable treating you them self or you they may send you to a specialist. In the overwhelming majority of people, this is not a problem that you need to worry about.

I hope this helps.

[charliecon]

Thank you for your reply.  It is reassuring.  I've had a full medical review and the doctor is satisfied my heart is normal.  I just needed a second opinion from you.

Thanks again.