HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Skipped Heart Beats And Fast Heart Rate?

Posted on Thu, 9 Jul 2015

Question: Hi doctor I have one last question before I close the discussion. Today has been a very busy and hectic day at work. I just finished and I had lots of anxiety today. Now that I'm finished I have a birthday party to attend. I am driving and getting palpitations. Skipped beats and fast heart rate. Is this normal? I also checked my pulse and felt something that felt like a double beat. Is that dangerous?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back Frank!

It's normal to experience tachycardia (fast beats) and skipped beats were you are anxious and stressed. What you felt like a double beat is just the extra cardiac beats it's not dangerous and it's not harmful.

As i said you many times you should stay calm on these occasions and should avoid checking the pulse, because this increase your anxiety making your symptoms even worse.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (13 hours later)

Doctor I have a question. Last year I explained to you about an episode I had at the gym where my heart rate jumped up to 190. I did not eat well the whole day. When the ambulance came I was nervous they checked my BP and it was 180/100. I started getting pretty nervous and it went to 220/110. However they checked it 5 minutes later in the ambulance and it had lowered to 155/90 . Could the anxiety attack have made my BP spike that high? I get checked regularly now and my BP seems pretty stable at 140/80 it does go up to 160/100 if I get panic attack

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Yes anxiety in combination with physical activity had caused the BP spike. In these case BP may go above 200/100 mmHg (as in your case) especially if the BP is measured directly after the physical activity. Typical of hypertension caused by the combination of anxiety and physical activity is that it will drop within minutes to normal values without medical treatment.

Your BP is normal or at upper normal limits and you should avoid anxiety because anxiety affect BP. Also you should continue with healthy lifestyle and sport to stabilize your BP.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Hi doctor thank you for replying. I have to travel tonight on another business trip. I am a little nervous because of the symptoms I've had the last few days. I know you said it's just anxiety and they are benign but I will be travelling for 3 to 4 hours. Do you think I am ok to go? My cardiologist also says it's just anxiety

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Yes it's safe to go. Please be focused on your job and think positive. This will help to be relaxed and avoid unnecessary stress.

More over I would suggest drinking chamomile tea. It will help to relieve your anxiety.

Wish you health!
Dr. shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (17 hours later)

Hi doctor i just had an episode where it felt like spasms in my esophagus but it took my breath away for a few seconds. I checked my pulse while this was happening and i could feel it very erratic skipping beats and couldnt get a steady rhythm. I got a little light headed and tried to cough and then it started getting back to normal. I just saw my cardiologist on friday and had a normal ecg. All my tests 4 months ago came back structurally normal but i did have 400 pacs and 15 pvcs. I am really worried right now and im not sure what this could have been

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

It's normal for patients like you suffering from acid reflux disease to experience esophageal spasm and palpitations.

As i said earlier avoid checking the pulse on these occasions because checking the pulse may increase anxiety and will worsen your symptoms.

I would recommend to:
- use antacids (malox)
- use ppi drugs (omeprasole)
- use anxiolitics
this medications will help to relieve your symptoms.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar