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What Causes An Irregular Heart Rhythm?

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Posted on Wed, 18 Jan 2017
Question: Hello. A question:
Hard to explain. But if I measure my heartrate by holding a finger on my neck, I feel its steady. Now, if I take the other hand and rub/slightly push the ribs over my heart, or inbetween the ribs where my heart is, I get a "pause" in the heartbeat. Its like it stops for a second just when I do that, and then back to normal.
My girlfriend tried aswell on her self, but then by pulling ribcage and letting go fast, and she did to have a pause or a skipped beat. But I get that by just gently touching inbetween the ribs, or hit certain pressurepoints on the ribcage sorrounding the heart. What can this be?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It could be just ectopics

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.
As you have already done holter monitoring which was normal except some ectopics.
Ectopics are heart beats coming elsewhere from normal conducting system of heart. They could be normal if the morphology of heart is normal. Considering your age i don't think they are abnormal. But still you also need a 2D Echo of the heart if not done previously.
Also if these ectopics are asymptomatic (not causing palpitations), then don't worry. If they are symptomatic then we can add a small dose of beta blocker which will keep you ok.
Also get a thyroid profile done if not done previously.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks
Dr Sameer Maheshwari
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (1 hour later)
Yes, but as I asked for, was this manuovre that makes the heart "pause" when I touch the ribcage of chest. It pases, or misses a beat by doing that. Thats what I was wondering why happened?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Its not the effect your maneuver

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
No maneuver like this can cause heart to pause.
It is just the effect of ectopics.
Whenever their is a ectopic, heart beat misses & you feel it like that.
If their is anything I can help you with, I'll be very happy.

Thanks
Dr Sameer Maheshwari
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (5 hours later)
Hello again. I am 100 Per cent sure of this. It happens when doing monuvre. Even my girlfriend checked herself
The pulse pauses when doing it
Its not like regular ectopic.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please see detailed answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As i said, moving the chest wall does not cause skip in heart beat.
Their is a thing called sinus arrhythmia in which when be breathe deeply heart beat tend to skip. I think that must be happening.
Still, stop thinking about that & than you will see it will not happen.
Regards
Dr Sameer Maheshwari
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 818 Questions

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What Causes An Irregular Heart Rhythm?

Brief Answer: It could be just ectopics Detailed Answer: Hi, This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist. As you have already done holter monitoring which was normal except some ectopics. Ectopics are heart beats coming elsewhere from normal conducting system of heart. They could be normal if the morphology of heart is normal. Considering your age i don't think they are abnormal. But still you also need a 2D Echo of the heart if not done previously. Also if these ectopics are asymptomatic (not causing palpitations), then don't worry. If they are symptomatic then we can add a small dose of beta blocker which will keep you ok. Also get a thyroid profile done if not done previously. Wishing you good health. Thanks Dr Sameer Maheshwari