What Did I Feel?

[nicia88]

I'm a 27-year-old female. In 2010, I was diagnosed with benign ectopic heartbeats. I wore a 48-hour holter monitor in order to be diagnosed. I have been doing okay with them, however, there are rare events (maybe once every few months) where I feel about 3 forceful beats in a row. They happen quickly, maybe 3 beats within a second or two. They scare the crap out of me, frankly. However, I don't feel faint or dizzy or anything. This happened again last night as I was laying in bed watching TV. (It was a really boring show on HGTV... I'm not sure why my heart was so excited. ;))

My dad had mitral valve prolapse; but as far as I know, I don't have it. I have also had an EKG and an echocardiogram with normal results.

Does anyone know what these 3 rapid, forceful beats are that I am feeling?

Thank you in advance!

[CCFHeartMD29]

Dear Nicia88,

Thanks for this great question.  Palpitations can be scary symptoms, and it is always a good idea to take them seriously and get them evaluated by a physician.  Often, palpitations are due to extra beats from your heart.  These extra beats can be from the top portion of your heart (premature atrial beats - PACs), or the bottom portion of your heart (premature ventricular beats - PVCs).  Both PACs and PVCs occur occasionally even in healthy people. While you may feel symptoms of palpitations when they occur, most of the time they do not require further treatment. However, if they occur frequently enough, your doctor may consider medication or other treatments for them.  To determine how often you have them, a heart monitor can be worn for 24 to 48 hours (a "holder" monitor).  Only your doctor can assess the severity of your condition and if this diagnostic tool is needed.

I hope this information is helpful.  Very best wishes!

[marlinspike]

Hi Lisa. You need to start a new question. Your important question will get overlooked otherwise. Best wishes.

[Lisa8Theo]

Hi my son  whos 8 years old as been diagnosed with   dilated aortic root with mild mitral valve prolapse ....poor eye sight his waiting on genetic testing for marfan syndrome he has started on losartan tablets ..... my question is is this condition serious

[marlinspike]

It could just be a run of a few pvcs. I get those occasionally, whereas my usual pattern, during a bad spell,  is more like a pvc every 9th beat for a few hours at a time. It is a bit scary though. You could always get another evaluation if you feel things have changed. If they are only happening every few months, I wouldn't think they are hugely significant.