Hi friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic Feeling of ‘dropping / skipping / missed’ beat points ECTOPIC beats. A beat comes earlier than normal – this itself is not usually felt. The next beat is a bit delayed - longer time to recover form early extra beat – so heart fills more and the beat appears forcible – thud / lubb - - dubb - - lubb - - dubb - lub - - - DUBB / Ectopic beats can arise from ventricle (lower chamber of the heart - Ventricular Ectopic; VPC) or Atrium (upper chamber - Atrial Ectopic; APC). APCs are generally harmless. Even VPCs are often harmless – ‘benign’. If they are frequent - more than 5 per hour, 2 or more beats coming consecutively – they should be investigated further. Irregular heart beats need to be DOCUMENTED by ElectroCardioGram (EKG). THE FIRST STEP IS TO SEE A CARDIOLOGIST Anxiety / Alcohol / Tobacco (smoking) / Caffeine (too much coffee, cola) are common causes. Medicines may be responsible – like Phenylephrine used for ‘cold’ Illicit ‘drugs’ like Amphetamine are notorious to cause abnormal beats At times, abnormal nerve paths in the heart (bypass tracts) are responsible! HOLTER (24 to 48 hour ambulatory monitoring) / ECHOcardiogram / TMT (Treadmill exercise ECG) / LABORATORY work-up – may all be necessary for further assessment and assistance. The treating doctor may suggest them depending on need, based on his assessment of the situation. Take care Wishing speedy recovery God bless Good luck