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What Causes Skipped Heart Beats And Shortness Of Breath?
Question: I am having what I think are PVCs...6 or so a minute. they feel like a skipped heartbeat when I take my pulse on my neck or wrist. when they happen I get short of breath, like I stop breathing or something. after each skipped beat, my heart beats faster for the next 3 or 4 beats. anything to be concerned about?
Brief Answer:
Thorough evaluation required.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Firstly thanks for selecting health care magic to ask your query.
The feeling of skipped beat you are having is called palpitation.Common abnormal heart rhythms that can present themselves as skipped beats are ectopic beat, premature atrial contraction, junctional escape beat, premature ventricular contraction, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia.Any type of palpitation or skipped beat feeling shiuld be evaluted thoroughly.
I would prescibe you following tests
1) Thyroid profile- to rule out hyperthyroidism.
2)24 hour holter monitoring- will record the ECG continuously during a 24-hour or 48-hour period. If palpitation occurs during this period it will be recorded in ECG recording and we can rule out the cardiac rhythm at the time.
3) Serum electrolytes - a disturbance in serum electrolytes can cause palpitations , they can be corrected easily.
If you are a smoker give up smoking.
Don't take alcohol in excess.
Try to do 45 minutes of exercise daily.
If you are anxious person with elevated anxiety levels cardiologist will prescribe you with benzodiazepene to lower your anxiety.
Don't eat oily ,fatty and spicy food for some days.
Add fibres to your diet.
The above mentioned investigations are the basic test which can be helpful in finding out the cause of palpitations.
As prevention is always better then cure, i would suggest you to take the problem seriously.
In case you need more details or have any other query ,feel free to ask ,i would be happy to help you!
Thorough evaluation required.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Firstly thanks for selecting health care magic to ask your query.
The feeling of skipped beat you are having is called palpitation.Common abnormal heart rhythms that can present themselves as skipped beats are ectopic beat, premature atrial contraction, junctional escape beat, premature ventricular contraction, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia.Any type of palpitation or skipped beat feeling shiuld be evaluted thoroughly.
I would prescibe you following tests
1) Thyroid profile- to rule out hyperthyroidism.
2)24 hour holter monitoring- will record the ECG continuously during a 24-hour or 48-hour period. If palpitation occurs during this period it will be recorded in ECG recording and we can rule out the cardiac rhythm at the time.
3) Serum electrolytes - a disturbance in serum electrolytes can cause palpitations , they can be corrected easily.
If you are a smoker give up smoking.
Don't take alcohol in excess.
Try to do 45 minutes of exercise daily.
If you are anxious person with elevated anxiety levels cardiologist will prescribe you with benzodiazepene to lower your anxiety.
Don't eat oily ,fatty and spicy food for some days.
Add fibres to your diet.
The above mentioned investigations are the basic test which can be helpful in finding out the cause of palpitations.
As prevention is always better then cure, i would suggest you to take the problem seriously.
In case you need more details or have any other query ,feel free to ask ,i would be happy to help you!
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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