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What Causes Skipped Heart Beats With Normal ECG And Stress Tests?

Posted on Fri, 13 Jun 2014

Question: I have been experiencing skipped heart beats on and off since 2009. I am also on Antidepressants for the past 15 years though there have been periods when I was off these medicines.I am presently on Desvenlafaxine-50 mg as maintenance dose.I have no history of Diabetes or hypertension.
All tests like ECG, Stress test, 2D Echo have been normal(no arrhythmia).I have also consulted 3-4 cardiologists with the reports but there seems to be a consensus that this could be anxiety related. The skipped beats come out of the blue but do not cause any other accompanying symptoms. The skips can be continuous like beat-skip-beat-skip-skip-beat-skip-skip-skip.....there is no definite pattern.
All other blood tests are normal except slightly elevated cholesterol(Tab.Fibator for 2 years).Please advise -ATS

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief answer....given below
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query very well and can say that causes for your skipped heart beat lies somewhere else and not your heart,as it is clear from various tests and examination done by various cardiologists from time to time.
Non cardiac reasons could include...
Increased consumption of caffeine in form of colas,tea and coffee.
Use of cocaine and medicines like antidepressants , diet pills and anti allergics.
Anaemia
Low blood sugar levels
Smoking and alcoholism
Anxiety,stress and fear

What to do...
Take care of above mentioned factors
Do regular yoga and meditation
Deep breathing exercises.
More consumption of fresh fruits,green vegetables,nuts etc

I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (2 hours later)

Thanks Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXX for reading through my query and assuring me that this is a non cardiac issue.
I will enrol into yoga and meditation classes to practice the same immediately.
Are there any other tests like Holter monitoring etc., that needs to be done until a definitive diagnosis can be obtained?
Is total withdrawal from Antidepressants a cure for skipped beats?
I am a teetotaller, vegetarian and my blood sugar levels are within normal limits and I am not anaemic.
Thanks in advance for your valuable response.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (6 hours later)

Hello,
Although there is no cardiac issue with you but there is no harm in getting a HOLTER monitoring done because a normal HOLTER reading would bring great peace and relaxed mind in you.
As far antidepressants are concerned ,it is always better to carry on without these drugs.
It is very difficult for me to predict whether your skipped heart beat problem would go way after withdrawing from antidepressant drugs or not,but it is better for you if you could manage without these drugs and be all right with yoga,meditation and with other lifestyle changes.
Thanks

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D