Skipped beats?

[breasmommy]

I have been having, over the past 10 years, symptoms of what seem to be skipped heart beats. Out of the blue, I get a feeling of somthing being shoved from about my sternum into my throat and at that moment, I feel like I can not breathe. Then, when that pressure releases, I get a huge, and somewhat painful, thud in the center of my chest and it is gone. This happens with in seconds.

Just today, I was chasing after my dog who ran away - the little stinker =) - and suddenly I had that sensation; but, not just once. It happened about three times with a pause in between each. After each episode, I feel extremely tired, my chest a little heavy or tight and my chest feels awkward for about 5hours after. I have seen a cardiologist just recently (Aug '07-Oct '07). I have had a few ekg's done, chest x-rays, an echocardiogram (in Aug '06- Cardiologist said that was recent enough), a Cardiac CTA with contrast (no stress test because I had this test done), an event monitor for 2 weeks and all my blood work is with in normal measures-great even. Even though I was diagnosed with SVT 10 years ago, my Cardiologist said that my heart appears healthy and this is nothing to worry about. My episodes normally only happen once a month (if that) and occassionlly once a week. But this 3 time thing with in seconds of each other is bothersome.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Does anyone know what might be causing this? Is there a name for that? Should I be concerned? Should I go back to the Cardiologist and have other tests done?

Please, I am very concerned and I thought the advice of those who know first hand would be helpful. Thank you so much in advance!

[Momto3]

Right : )

With a structually normal heart, you just kinda have to deal with the extra beats (they feel like skips,but they are actually extra beats).  

Anxiety can definitely make the extra beats worse, or at least seem worse.  I agree, your cardiologist sounds like he's on top of things and you are doing just fine : )

Have a great week!  Keep an eye on the dog...LOL.  I know a lot of people with cats and their lives are much simpler...hahaha

[breasmommy]

Well, I called my Cardiologist. I explained what was going on and they are still not concerned. I guess since the echo and the cardiac cta showed my heart is structurally normal and the event monitor and ekg's show normal heart rhythms, they feel that there is nothing wrong with the heart and they do not want to put me on medications. Instead, they have advised me to cut out any and all stimulants (caffeine, sugar, cigarettes, decongestants) and see if that helps. I also have an Anxiety & Panic disorder. They believe that might have a lot to do with what is going on with the beats. In the mean time, they have also sent an order for me to have some bloodwork done (not sure what that is going to show).

Again, they did not mention the PVCs or PACs. Not sure if that is really what they are or if they can not call what I am experiencing that because they have not been discovered on any exam that I have. Needless to say, my anxiety level has been up lately because of this particular expisode and the episodes that I have had since then (which thankfully have not been as bad as the one I talked about earlier).

Who knows?! I guess I just have to trust my Cardiologist and hope he really knows what he is talking about. I mean, I am still here so what ever I am going through can't be to bad for my health.... right?!!

[Momto3]

I'm so glad you caught the dog!  I've been on those runs before.....not fun!  

If it is PVCs/PACs, and you have a structurally normal heart, it's mostly a matter of accepting them.  Some doctors will suggest a beta blocker to help relieve the symptoms and/or lessen the frequency.  For whatever reason, so many people with anxiety have the weird beats, and vice-versa.  I'm sure it's all in our "wiring."

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to you also!!  

Let us know what's going on, how you're feeling and what the doc says.

connie

[breasmommy]

First- I caught the dog!! I live on a mountain so chasing after him was quite the trek and what was worse, I have two dogs and had already retrieved the one before going on the chase with the second! Sometimes I wonder why I just don't have cats instead =)

Second- Thank you so much for your response. I agree, this is a "weird" feeling. I think it is even harder to handle because I am, for the most part, a healthy 29-yr-old. Then, this comes out of the blue and I gasp for air and feel, for a brief moment, that I am dying. Talk about making you feel helpless. I really did feel like I was going to drop dead in the woods the other day. Unfortunately, I have really bad anxiety so once this happens, I focus on it and become more noticable of the slightest activity in my chest area.

I will certainly make a follow-up call with my Cardiologist and inquire about the premature ventricular and atrial beats. Perhaps this is something I have that he was aware of and either I was never told or didn't understand. Either way, I am sure that calling him would offer at least a little reassurance.

Third- HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

[Momto3]

What you describe sounds very familiar, like premature ventricular or premature atrial beats (very common, but quite annoying).

Hope you caught the dog!  Why do they do that?  Today, you may have had a few of the extra beats strung together.  Crazy as it feels, in a structuraly normal heart, they are considered to be benign.  You can touch base with your cardiologist just to let him know you are feeling something "different."  He may, or may not suggest an appointment, or maybe another monitor to be sure everything is the same.  If I had to guess, I'd say you are fine.  But, it definitely feels weird!