Irregular heartbeat - Heart Disorders Message Board

mandybeth · 03-27-2005, 09:30 PM

For the past couple of years, I have experienced what I believe are skipped heartbeats. I can usually feel it in my chest when it happens, and it sort of makes me gasp, or feel lightheaded for just a few seconds, then I recover. But other times, like just a few minutes ago, this spell lasts a lot longer, and I get skipped heartbeats for a few minutes at a time. I will feel my heart fluttering in my chest, and sure enough when I feel my pulse, my heart skips a beat, then does a couple of beats close together, as if trying to make up for the skipped one. My heart will go from beating slow to beating fast in just a couple of beats. And every time it happens, it frightens me.

Is this something I should get checked out? I'm 24 and I'm not overweight (although I don't exercise either). A few years ago, a doctor sent me to go see a specialist, after she discovered I have a heart murmer (which I've known about my whole life). I was given an echocardiogram because they thought I might have a hole in my heart, but the specialist who viewed the echocardiogram results didn't seem to see one there. Still, I look back to that and wonder if these irregular heartbeats could somehow be related. I know this is not normal, but has anybody else experienced this kind of heartbeat?

jojo64 · 03-29-2005, 09:19 AM

I dunno but this happens to me too, and is happening really badly right now. I'm assuming it's palpitations but why or how serious I am not sure. I also have a murmur - maybe the 2 are related?

eltwins · 03-29-2005, 11:27 AM

Hi, I have these also, what you feel in your chest is the extra beat for the heart to catch up, here in the Uk they call this an ectopic heartbeat, inthe U.S. they call them PVC's. Alot of people on these boards suffer them, me included. It is real horrible. All they have told me to do is to try and ignore them and live a normal life, but it is really hard especially when it does a few in a roe for most of the day. I think mine are worse with hormones, but finding the trigger is hard. Rest assured you are not the only one and although they feel really weird they are harmless.

mandybeth · 03-29-2005, 09:03 PM

Thank you for the reply. I've sort of read a little bit about PVC's, but not enough to really understand what that is exactly. I figured that must be what I am experiencing. And I agree with you, eltwins - it is really horrible. It certainly feels a lot more serious than it probably is, and I haven't been too worried since I don't experience any pain or other symptoms when this happens. Still, it is very annoying.

I am amazed it happens to so many people.

Lil'Pea · 03-30-2005, 12:00 AM

I also suffer pvc's and heart murmur, and last year was diagnosed with mitral valvle prolapse w/regurge.....ask your doc about beta blockers. they regulate the heart rate and prevent the stress hormone from affecting the heart...if its been a while since your last echo, ask for another one. I've been told that if you have heart problems, you should have one every year to two years as these things can progress over time....are they doing anything for your symptoms? i am also young (29) and thin and my doc was surprised to find anything wrong with me (told me it was anxiety because i was too young and too thin for it to be my heart...go figure). I don't drink, smoke, or drink excessive caffiene. How is your caffiene intake? It can increase pvc's dramatically....Lil'Pea