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Request This Query To Be Forwarded To Cardiologist, Dr XXXXXXX

Posted on Sat, 2 Jan 2021

Question: Request this query to be forwarded to Cardiologist, Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Hello Doctor. Am approximately 8 weeks pregnant with my second baby. Of late, I've been experiencing something like a ectopic heartbeat. It feels like my heart is skipping for a second and followed by extra hard beats for the next two seconds.. It happens once in a day and makes me feel quite weird. And happens only when am in rest. I already have a history of anxiety induced heart palpitations (only fast heart rate) where I've been to ER ample times, did all tests n everything turned up normal. I completed my course of anti anxiety medications before I got pregnant. I wouldn't worry if my heart skips a beat once in a while but when this happens daily, I feel totally abnormal. Should I visit a cardiologist for further tests?

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sorry for the delay in response dear Vidhya

Detailed Answer:
See, ectopics happen daily in every normal individuals and they become more noticeable when person is resting because our mind is not occupied with work.

In pregnancy the frequency generally increases a bit. However if still a person feels uncomfortable then it’s advisable to get it evaluated.

I would like to suggest you to get following tests by personally visiting a cardiologist.

1. Thyroid profile, if not done in last 2-3 months
2. Echocardiogram
3. 24 hrs Holter monitoring

Hope to have been helpful. And I wish you good luck for your coming baby.

Do let me know if you need my assistance further.

Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (43 hours later)

Thank you Doctor. I have taken my thyroid profile recently and it was all good. And echo, I took it around XXXXXXX this year. That was good as well. Do I have to wear holter monitor?... At home, my people say that it's just anxiety that's causing you this as I already had anxiety disorder in the past but this happens when am not really anxious also... I know palpitations are common in pregnancy buy what about these ectopics?... would it increase as my baby grows and I enter into second m third trimesters? Do I have to wear holter monitor or shall I wait.. Pls suggest.

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello again

Detailed Answer:
Yes, these can disappear later in pregnancy as your body adapts. However if these ectopics are frequent and are really disturbing your daily routine then you can get a holter done.

Ectopics is an event, which when happen gives the feeling of palpitations and sometimes skipped beat feeling.

So, only you can tell, if it’s frequent then go for holter otherwise wait for a month atleast. Anyways it’s not wise to visit hospitals or doctors clinic in these pandemic times.

Kind Regards

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T