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What Causes Skipped Heart Beats?
Question: Over the past decade or so, I have experienced very infrequent heart fluttering - what feels like a skipped beat followed by a double beat/generally out of rhythm. There has been no pain, no shortness of breath, and no dizziness. I just feel it happen. In the past couple of weeks I have felt it happen almost daily. Sometimes multiple times each day. Again, no pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness, just a hefty dose of freaking myself out anxiety with the increase in frequency. Is this something of imminent danger and concern? I have recently moved to a new state and have no established primary care physician. Is this a matter for urgent care or the emergency room, or is it safe to wait until I can get a new patient appointment somewhere?
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for sending the question.
I can appreciate that these symptoms are causing you some degree of anxiety. I do think it needs to be investigated further and I would recommend that you establish care with a local primary care physician and preferably an internal medicine specialist who can provide you with a focus consultation and physical examination. Very likely an EKG will be needed and possibly some additional testing.
It sounds like you might be experiencing premature ventricular contractions although it is possible that you might have some type of cardiac arrhythmia. Sometimes in order to diagnose this definitively patients must wear a monitor for up to 7 days at a time.
In addition it is important that you take a look at your diet and make sure that you decrease any stimulant types of products such as caffeine or caffeinated beverages.
In addition your doctor might check additional studies to make sure you don't have anemia or thyroid dysfunction or electron abnormalities which might contribute to the symptoms you're describing. I think he should be evaluated fairly soon within the next few days.
Thanks again for sending her question. Please let us know if you have any additional specific concerns in the future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for sending the question.
I can appreciate that these symptoms are causing you some degree of anxiety. I do think it needs to be investigated further and I would recommend that you establish care with a local primary care physician and preferably an internal medicine specialist who can provide you with a focus consultation and physical examination. Very likely an EKG will be needed and possibly some additional testing.
It sounds like you might be experiencing premature ventricular contractions although it is possible that you might have some type of cardiac arrhythmia. Sometimes in order to diagnose this definitively patients must wear a monitor for up to 7 days at a time.
In addition it is important that you take a look at your diet and make sure that you decrease any stimulant types of products such as caffeine or caffeinated beverages.
In addition your doctor might check additional studies to make sure you don't have anemia or thyroid dysfunction or electron abnormalities which might contribute to the symptoms you're describing. I think he should be evaluated fairly soon within the next few days.
Thanks again for sending her question. Please let us know if you have any additional specific concerns in the future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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