Heart feels like it stops beating

[BonnieGayle]

Sometime I feel like my heart stops beating,A couple of days ago it did it really bad I couldnt breath good and I thought I was going to pass out.I was sitting when it started and it scared me so when I jumped up I felt like I was blacking out and I had a cold feeling go through my body.Has anyone else had this feeling and if so what is it? It is really scary I have been reading and found subjects on PVC's and PAC's, Could that be what it is? Any comment would be most appreciated, They are starting to really scare me bad!

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

What you are experiencing is PVC's and PAC's.  Nothing to worry about as it is very common and not dangerous.

You can get a bloodtests done to make sure your electrolytes and magnesium, potassium levels are in order.  Add a banana to your daily diet and try not to stress as stress increases these extra systoles.

Please keep us informed.  All the best,

[BobDiggity]

I was having these same feelings.  Sometimes my legs would feel like jello. I was 100% convinced that A. I had a heart issue and B. I was going to die. Well turns out neither was true.  I suggest getting it checked out, but mine was anxiety attacks.  I didn't believe this for about a year until I realized it was completely mental.  Now I never have them because I know its just anxiety so I;m not stressed about it and I dont go searching for symptoms.

[ed34]

But a heart attack is not the same as arrhythmia? I would go get an ECG to be sure and settle your mind. I'm sure it's just a premature ventricular episode.

[1miszuki]

this happens to me everyday.
sometimes it happens over and over and over again, if im standing walking sitting or even laying in bed. my dad died from heart failure and had over 30 heart attacks before getting induced into a coma.. most of my family has heart issues, im not sure if i should worry but it is really scary

[ed34]

It sounds like your heart is doing a reset, to get the rhythm back in order. The strange thing is, everyone has this but only those people who are dealing with a heart issue seem to notice them, like they are more tuned into their heart. I get them about three times a week but ignore them. It isn't going to stop, it simply realigns itself to synchronise the chambers. I can describe to you exactly how mine feels, so you can judge if it's the same thing.

You can be standing, sitting, walking, laying down etc etc, it can happen anytime. You feel like your heart has stopped, but then it suddenly gives a larger beat or two, and seems to speed up for a few beats and then settle down. Sometimes, there can be two or three of these in a row. Sometimes, but not every time, you feel a cold shiver go through your body, which of course can make you panic and you think that your anxiety has fixed the problem because it suddenly goes away. The anxiety hasn't fixed it, it's normal.
Even my Son who is 17 said he experiences these sometimes. He had never given any thought to it until I questioned him. He feels it once or twice a week, if he is sitting quietly and aware of it. However, it is probably happening more often but at the time his mind is occupied with other things.
If you feel worried, you can always mention it to your Doctor, but you will probably be told the same thing as me when you've had an EKG which gives normal results.

[Mom2four85]

many of us arrhythmia patients who have Pvc's say they feel like our hearts stop, but it's not really stopping - if I remember correctly it's a compensatory "pause" after the pvc that makes it feel this way.

reading about arrhythmia's can be scary, so be careful with what you're reading sometimes it can cause anxiety which may cause more arrhythmia's...

the best thing to do is what flycaster305 suggested and see a doctor who can do a full cardiac workup and blood tests to make sure everything is ok - sometimes it's as simple as being dehydrated; electrolyte imbalance or as complicated as a genetic problem but it's best to try and relax and not worry until you have some testing done.

[Eduard25]

Thanks a lot. Everyone starts shivering by the thought of their heart randomly stopping and I think you accurately have put these symptoms in the right perspective. I can sleep assured now knowing I probably won't die in my sleep(and not have a panic attack)

[Flycaster305]

I doubt your heart stops beating, but I'm betting it is beating at a rate that you don't recognize.  It could mean your Artrial or Ventricular heart beats aren't normal, that would, in my opinion, give you those symptoms.  I'd visit your primary care doctor and based on that visit, perhaps meet with a Cardiologist.  Keep us informed.