skipped heartbeats

[Liberato]

I went to see the doctor a couple of years ago for occasional skipped beats that took my breath away and gave me a good scare. They did a bunch of tests and told me everything looks good and not to worry about it unless it worsens.Well it got better, not worse until very recently. I started having what I thought was some kind of digestive problem about a month or so ago. It's gone on fairly steadily and tonight I took my pulse and much to my astonishment and fear it turns out that I'm missing several beats per minute. They correspond with the feeling I mistook for some kind of digestive problem. Every time I skip a beat I get that "digestive feeling". It scares me to think that this has been going on for a month without me even recognizing it. I don't get that "breath taken away feeling" like I had in the past. Just this rumble in my upper abdomen. Now I'm afraid to go to sleep. I drink three to four cups of coffee a day and I recently started taking astaxathin to try and reduce may blood pressure naturally so I wouldn't have to keep taking the Hydrochlorathiazide that I've taken for ten years. Also take levothyroxin. I have no thyroid as of 2002. Other than that, I'm in good shape. Not overweight. Try to eat well. Can anyone give me some insight and perhaps ease my mind a little? Are there any supplements that can control this kind of thing.
P.S. I've been suffering with a stiff neck for almost or perhaps as long as this has been going on.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i post on her a few weeks ago same thing . i woke up burping and having small heart flutters , they went on for 8 hours every 3-4 heart beat. i didnt go er which my dr says i should after 2 hours of it, but they went away, but everytime i would have a flutter i would belch, i have acid reflux but take meds for it so dont have this often but i to am thinking its from the acid. right between my breast bones near my stomack it was sore to touch. so just guessing it was acid i ate sasauge the night before only thing i can figure out.

[Liberato]

Thank you. Will take your advice about the coffee and try not to worry over it.

Frank

[Liberato]

Thank you. I will cut back on the caffeine but ever so slowly. I quit cold turkey about 15 years ago and it was a nightmare.

Frank

[seaweib]

You're in good company in this forum because we almost all have skipped beats like you.  I've never specifically felt them in my stomach so much but they can feel way different depending on the type (PAC vs PVC) and on the timing of when they occur between the regular beats.  All are equally harmless in a healthy heart so no need to worry.  You could probably eliminate them or make them much better just by cutting out the coffee.

Also, since your symptoms have changed it would probably be wise to run it by your doc and make sure he/she agrees that they seem benign.  But, based on what you say, sounds like you have PACs/PVCs just like the rest of us.

[MichelleP_3811]

I do know what you mean about the stomach.  It actually may still be partly due to the stomach the acid or gas is overstimulating the vagus nerve which sends signals to the heart causing it to act up.  Your meds and/or change in meds may also be throwing things off a bit.  That said, if all you have is a feeling and nothing more concerning like major chest pain or passing out it is very likely your ectopic beats are still not a concern.  Even with thousands and thousands of them a day the doctors are not overly concerned unless the heart is diseased which it sounds like your heart is healthy in general so you are most likely still fine.  I might try cutting back on the caffeine but other than that try to not dwell on them too much.  They really are more of a bother than anything else.