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Please describe your "skipped beat" feeling

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Posted 1/6/2009 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I get so confused with all of the terms for the "skipped heart beat".  I am just wondering if mine feels like any of yours and what has your doctor said about them.  Most of the time, mine are very quick and brief and are followed by a burp or a cough.  They are felt in the center of my chest under the breast bone.  They can be random or they can be when I feel out of place in a social situation.  I have had numerous tests done over the past 6 years.  Of course during every test, they did not occur. I have been diagnosed with MVP and anxiety disorder (as years ago I had severe anxiety).  I have never been on any meds for MVP and only take an occassional benzo if I feel a panic attack on the way.  I take 81mgs of aspirin and 400mgs of magnesium daily.  These skipped beats scare me and the fear stays with me for a long time after they occur.

Thanks in advance for your replies,

-Soul

Posted 1/6/2009 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not a professional but it seems to me like you are have gastro issues. Do you get frequent heartburn? What tests have you had run on you?

I'm just curious Soul. I think you should go see your doc again or go get a second opinion on this. And try not to worry too much about this because there are many of us that have irregular and funny feeling heart beats with the anxiety of the situation. Try doing some breathing/relaxation exercises to help you calm down while feeling anxious. It also helps to stay in the moment by doing things to take your mind off of the body sensations.

Good luck!
Posted 1/6/2009 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for replying,

GERD is not the issue. It has been ruled out by several doctors. Heart tests include EKGs (too many to count), stress test (several), stress test with ultrasound, 24 hour holtar monitor (4x), catscan, and angiogram. The major tests were performed 6 years ago when an EKG indicated a heart episode. I have worn a holtar monitor and have received complete bloodwork 3x in the past three years and have had at least three EKGs in the past 12 months. I was prescribed propranolol by my gp, but my cardiologist advised not to take it due to concerns of lowering my bp and not seeing a need for a daily med, so I never did. My fear, as always, is these doctors see me for a snipit of time and it has been indicated by all that even though my heart does not show signs of disease or impending doom at the time of testing a heart attack can occur at anytime for anyone.

Maybe it is just time to roll with the punches and buy a "life alert". Sad thing is I am afraid I would punch that little button so often that no one would take my concerns seriously LOL! I have spoke to my family and friends so often about my concerns that I feel no one will react if something catastrophic actually does occur so I now keep most of this inside of me. I figure if I keep my mouth shut for a reasonable amount of time, if something does occur I will get support and help. I get so scared!

-Soul
Posted 1/6/2009 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Well, if you have had all of these tests done then I think you are going through symptoms of anxiety and panic.  These can be dealt with my friend and if you stick with the great support group here, we are dedicating 2009 for a year of recovery, better health and positive self discovery :)

You have already taken the hardest step towards your recovery by seeing doctors and having tests done to ease your mind. . . Plus finding a great family here at HW. . . The rest is up to you.  Here is a link to MoodGYM that many of us have used with much improvement.  It is CBT (therapy) online and totally free!  Can't beat that :)

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Posted 1/7/2009 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Anxious Soul,

You may want to take a look at the GERD Forum as they have sx with their disease that also cause cardiac dysrhythmias.

Heart palpitations can be caused by anxiety, stress, fear and many other things.

Reducing stress and anxiety can help lessen your heart palpitations. Try breathing exercises or deep relaxation (a step-by-step process of tensing and then relaxing every muscle group in your body) at the time of your heartbeat sensations. Also, consider practicing yoga or tai chi on a regular basis to reduce the frequency of your palpitations.

Skipped heart beats are normal in the senses that: 1) about half of us have them; 2) they are easy to understand as normal cardiac events from knowledge of the heart's electrical system; and 3) they don't mean you have heart disease or any other dread condition, nor do they lead to heart disease or any catastrophe in the future.

Please remember I am not a professional.

Big breath now and know we are with you.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt
Posted 1/7/2009 4:13 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Soul,

I'm sorry you are feeling so scared. It's not a very nice place to be. I'm sure your family and friends are listening to you, when we are sick, we feel vulnerable. You can always come here to talk, vent and get support. Please don't feel you need to "keep your mouth shut" until things get "catastrophic"..that's no way to live. Take the steps you think you need and know we are here to listen.

Meg

Posted 1/7/2009 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
I've had palpatations, missed beats and the fluttering heart feeling for years.  I've talked to several doctors and been assured that it is due to my anxiety disorder, though that doesn't really make me feel much better when it's happening.  Mine are exactly like what you described too.  If you've had all the tests done, and all have turned out to be fine, than I'm afraid it's something you may have to learn to live with.  It cannot hurt you and I've noticed that once I accept it and let it be it does get somewhat better.  I'm not a professional, just giving you my perception of it, so if you have any doubts, see another doctor.  Hope this helps.
Posted 1/7/2009 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
I HAVE HAD EXACTLY WHAT YOU DESCRIBE.  IT MAKES ME SO NERVOUS.  I HAVE ALSO WORN THE HALTER MONITER.  NOTHING SHOWED WHILE IT WAS ON.  SOMETIMES WHEN I AM SITTING WATCHING TV, IT WILL HAPPEN, A FLUTTER, THEN I GASP FOR AIR.  I HAVE RELATIVES WITH FIBRULATION PROBLEMS, NOW USING DEFIBULATORS TO REGULATE THEIR HEARTS. 

THOUGH IF CARDIOLOGISTS HAVE GIVEN YOU THE GREEN LIGHT, SO TO SPEAK, THEN GO WITH IT.  MAYBE IT IS JUST A BY-PRODUCT OF SOME RESIDUAL ANXIETY.  I HAVE ALSO SEEN A CARDIOLOGIST, HAD STRESS TESTS.  WOULD LOVE AN ULTRASOUND OF MY HEART.- THAT WOULD JUST BE COOL. 

I HAD DEBILITATING ANXIETY FOR YEARS, TAKE LEXAPRO NOW AND FEEL GREAT.  STILL HAVE OCCASIONAL  FLUTTERING AND A TINY BIT OF ANXIETY AT TIMES, BUT CAN FUNCTION LIKE A NORMAL, SELF ASSURED PERSON AND TAKE DAILY RISKS.

DO ALSO HAVE GERD?????  MAYBE SOMETHING IS TO THAT?????  CAN'T REMEMBER IFYOU HAVE HAD A SCOPE OF YOUR ESOPHAGUS.

GOD BLESS,

JEN

Good Morning Jen,

You may not have noticed you have your caps lock on...........this makes posts harder to read and is also considered shouting.  Just a friendly reminder, not a big deal.

Welcome to the best site on the net..............

Kitt

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 1/7/2009 7:24:47 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/7/2009 5:13 AM (GMT 0)
Jen,

Welcome to the HealingWell Anxiety and Panic Disorder Forum. I'm glad to hear of your positive strides in the recovery of your anxiety :) Congratualtions and hopefull you will post more to help other members with some great encouragement :)

Nice to meet you!
Posted 1/7/2009 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear that many others have the same annoying physical symptom as myself, but glad to know that it appears to be common and not to be feared as a precursor to a dreaded disease. Even though all of my doctors have told me that:) Yes, I have also had a scope of my esophagus. I had that done because for months I had the heart flutter feeling in my throat (that soft part between the collarbone). I got the A OK on that and haven't had the symptom since. Strange how anxiety manifests itself. I've often wanted to test my theory--are people's most feared health issues their most common anxiety symptoms? Maybe I should start a thread on that.

Thanks for all of your responses,
-Soul
Posted 1/8/2009 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
I am a nurse and also dealt w/ panic attacks (last one 6 years ago) I to had the heart flutters. I feel they are related to rapid breathing, nerves, etc.... caused by gas in the chest. b/c you feel them and then you burp! I have had many ekgs ,holter monitors and all normal. I feel my panic attacks have resolved d/t a good counselor, setting limits, relaxation tecniques and knowing that i am young and everything has been ruled out. Be well and know that you can be rid of the fear and anxiety!
Posted 1/9/2009 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rf1!

Welcome to the A/P Forum. There are any great people and resources on here so feel free to browse around and post. It's strange but many people in my family have this same issue with gas. It can be rather uncomfortable at times.

Nice to meet you :)
Posted 1/9/2009 7:36 PM (GMT 0)

rf1,

You mentioned gas in the chest as a possible cause of the skipped beats.  Would GasX eliminate this?  I have taken protonix, nexium, and omniprozale in the past and I still had the skipped beat sensation. I do not breathe rapidly, but perhaps shallowly (is that a word?).  Seems like I breathe shallowly to protect my heart from overexertion, stupid I know.

-Soul

Posted 1/9/2009 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
mine feels like my heart beats real hard once and i also get a cough once in awhile.
Posted 1/10/2009 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Soul :)

Don't breathe shallow. It does not help with anything and it makes your heart work harder to pump oxygen to all of your organs. Start practicing some deep breathing techniques from the diaphragm. It helps so much :) Take care!
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