Why is it hard for me to believe cardiologist over skipped beats

[Marino88]

Since I was about 20 i started to notice a weird flutter in the middle of my chest that for a split second it would make me cough and loose my breath , I didn’t really bother me and for years had them once in a while then around November of last year I started to get them more frequently as I always do I i googled what it could be as I always google my symptoms or go on web md , i know I know never a good idea to google these things specially if you suffer from anxiety as I do . Well I found out thru google that my heart was skipping beats when I felt that sensation in my chest . So every time I would feel a skipped beat my anxiety level would rise and make my heart beat like crazy , started to feel dizziness and just plain terrible , I would fear the worst and would lose interest in things I like to do . One day I was playing with my daughters and felt a couple of strong skipped heart beats , immediately rushed to the ER , hooked me up to an ekg and ran blood tests . All came back good . But that did nothing to ease my anxiety as I would still have skipped beats . I made an appointment with a cardiologist and he didn’t seem to be concerned even re scheduled me . I finally had my appointment a couple of weeks  ago , he ordered an echo , stress test, and Holter monitor for 24 hours . Echo was good , during the stress test I had one skipped beat but other than that no blockages , the Holter picked up a few ectopic beats from both the top and bottom of my heart . He said everything looked normal but could prescribe me Some beta blockers to see if it would help ease my anxiety. I have not taken the meds because if indeed it is normal I shouldn’t need meds !   But it’s so hard for me to believe what he tells me since what I feel feels so abnormal plus I have some pain on my left side of my chest and middle abdomen. Ever since I found out I have skipped beats I’m very aware of every abnormal sensation and heart beat . Every day I’m always thinking about this and the anxiety is terrible !

[Occupant]

First of all, I don't think you have skipped beats - you only perceive them that way. Premature heart beats are originating in your Ventricle or Atrium. Since these beats are premature, there is not enough blood in the Ventricle to be pumped out and, therefore, you don't notice them. The following, regular beat, however, now has to pump all that extra blood and that's why you feel it and also think, there was a beat missing. I've had them for many years and so many of them - many more that you, I am sure - that by now they feel normal to me. They haven't killed me yet and I am almost 82 years old. I hope this will help to reduce your anxiety.

[Marino88]

Yes it helps to hear coments like these , but sometimes my mind gets the best of me , specially since I get ectopics way more during exercise or during intimacy with my wife . I guess it makes me think that my heart could stop and I tend to avoid any physical exertion. I really appreciate your feedback it really does help a bit with my anxiety. Thanks !