# Does your heart sometimes skip a beat or beat a extra pump? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 15, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111 "2010-02-15T20:17:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/41 "2010-02-19T04:52:18Z")
Yes, mine misses a beat sometimes. Despite being a heart patient for other reasons, my doctors and I don’t worry about it. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/42 "2010-02-19T17:38:09Z")
Yes, mine does a couple of times a week, on average. In fact, I’m wearing a Holter monitor even as I type this, to see what’s up. I’d complained about this to my GP, who works with a cardiologist, so he referred me to the cardiologist, who did an EKG and echocardiagram and declared my heart healthy (surprisingly so considering I’m out of shape). But he’s giving me the Holter just to be on the safe side, since I’m more likely to experience the little heart “skips” during a 24-hour test than during the brief periods of the EKG / echocardiagram. I have a bit of a panic disorder thang, and have had incidents of tachycardia that seem to have been the result of panic attacks rather than any heart ailment. Stress is apparently one possible cause for palpitations like this. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/43 "2010-02-19T18:28:22Z")
Add me to the list. Happens more when I have too much caffeine I believe. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/44 "2010-02-20T00:21:15Z")
> [@Elysian](#): > > I started having skipped beats like that right after the time my dad almost died from a heart attack. They scared me silly, and still scare the crap out of me sometimes. They hooked me up to a heart monitor for a couple of weeks and the doctor said I was fine, even though I was having them five or six times a day. I started having skipped beats shortly after my father died (due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy according to the autopsy). It would feel almost like a little skip or flutter, then a very brief pause, followed by an extra-strong feeling _thump_. This skipping was definitely apparent during an echocardiogram; however, the cardiologist didn’t seem very concerned and thought it seemed to be stress related. I only get them now when I’m really, really stressed; when they do occur, it only happens for a brief period of time. ---
**Author:** ![Trent99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Trent99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trent99)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/45 "2012-02-07T20:54:10Z")
I get the same thing! Glad I found this! It feels like my heart valve stays open and blood rushes out after a big heart beat…then goes back to normal. Went to my GP …he said I’m fine, but sent me for tests…6+ years ago now…they came back with nothing…it still happens. May be 1 time per day…may go without for days at a time…since I was in my teens…I am 39 now. Smoked since I was 15…crazy that it seemed to have started when I started smoking…almost 25 years of smoking and I am quitting this week…12 cigs left in my pack…wish me luck! VERY scared, but excited too. Scary to have your heart act weird…it is what keeps us alive. My mom passed away from a massive heart attack at 56, (smoker) and my dad has already had open heart surgery (70 years old now - smoker) I want to break this trend. C’mon heart…keep pumpin…lol. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/46 "2012-02-08T17:53:49Z")
I was in my late 20s when my OB/GYN noticed an irregular heartbeat during a routine checkup. I didn’t know what he was talking about. “There – did you feel that?” “Feel what?” I was thin and healthy at the time. He sent me to a cardiologist to check it out and the verdict was “Fine, nothing to worry about.” An interesting thing was that he would hear the extra or skipped beat when I was resting, but if I did some mild exercise like a few situps, the beat evened out. Like a car that runs rough at a slow idle but smooths out when you step on the gas. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/47 "2012-02-08T18:01:10Z")
I had a spell of this where it was happening several times per hour. My cardiogist had me wear a recorder that transmitted daily results over the phone for analysis. After a couple of weeks, they went away. I believe they were due to some[old fashioned horehound candy drops](http://www.amazon.com/Claeys-Natural-Horehound-6-Ounce-Packages/dp/B000NPZUBG) I was using at that time. When I ran out, the palpitations stopped. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/48 "2012-02-08T21:37:55Z")
They are called [premature ventricular or contractions](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/premature-ventricular-contractions/DS00949/DSECTION=symptoms) or [premature atrial contractions](http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_rhythm_disorders/page2.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/49 "2012-02-08T22:16:46Z")
The only time anything like this happens to me is when my Synthroid needs to be dialed down. That and insomnia are how I can tell I’m over-replaced. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/50 "2012-02-08T22:53:40Z")
Luckily for me, my zombie heart quit skipping beats once I cut down on coffee and stress. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/51 "2012-02-09T00:34:10Z")
I used to have the same too, just like most people here described. They started right about the time I was going into perimenopause. I stopped drinking diet Cokes (but still drink espresso), and I started taking magnesium. They went away and haven’t returned, despite my stopping taking magnesium. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/52 "2012-02-09T02:10:37Z")
I get these, too; antihistamines seem to make it worse. Asked my doc about it, and he said I wouldn’t die from it, but since I’ve had “borderline” hypertension for a while, he put me on 25 mg of atenolol a day, which lowers blood pressure and halts the skipping. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/53 "2012-02-09T02:25:40Z")
Started getting PVCs (Bigeminy) wicked bad after my cardiologist changed my medication. This occurred about 3 months after my bypass surgery. As I was already freaked out over my heart in general (I thought I would drop dead at a moment’s notice for a long time…still do, in fact), this sent me to the Emergency Room post haste. Another change in medication made it go away, but the episode scared me bad. It felt like my heart was trying to jump out of my chest. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/54 "2012-02-09T05:36:50Z")
This happened to me in the 1980s. It turned out the cause was Seldane, an antihistamine I was taking at the time. It was eventually withdrawn from the market because of this and other side effects. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/55 "2012-02-09T07:30:54Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > This happened to me in the 1980s. It turned out the cause was Seldane, an antihistamine I was taking at the time. It was eventually withdrawn from the market because of this and other side effects. Me too. It interacted with grapefruit. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/56 "2012-02-09T18:25:58Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > I would also add that skipped/extra/louder solitary heartbeat triggers a solitary cough with me. I posted a question about this, and QtM posited that it might be that the weird heartbeat [stimulates the vagus nerve.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=83558) This happens to me too - the irregular beat will make me cough. I have mitral valve prolapse, which showed itself via the irregular beats in my mid-20s. Over time they’ve settled down quite a bit but occasionally I still have bouts of them. ---
**Author:** ![mburrell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@mburrell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mburrell)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/57 "2012-05-24T03:45:51Z")
Doctors heard a ‘heart murmur’ all my life. Always thought it was due to pregnancy (usually when heard). At 40, went to Family Doc to have check up and he heard it. He referred me to a cardiologist, who ran all the test–halter, stress test, electrocardiogram, 3-D, etc…It was discovered I had a hole.( congenital heart defect) born with it. The hunting ‘spilling of blood’ during beats is what makes murmur sound. He put me on Atenolol (beta blocked). I have a high heart rate that around 100 at rest. He said it was like driving a car at a high rate of speed all the time…eventually the motor will blow. But, didn’t repair hole, since I made it this long. So, doesn’t hurt to get checked out. Lots of possible things it could be. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/58 "2012-05-24T10:03:02Z")
My sister has the issues that you all are talking about. I’m amazed at how many people have this. My sister’s started about five years ago and she insisted that I go get my heart checked out. Her’s was very severe. But, since I don’t have insurance and or symptoms, I’ve never had it checked. The only thing that I do worry about is that I get this weird feeling when I’m at the edge of waking up from sleep. It feels like a medium sized dog is on the bed scratching a flee. So, my whole body and especially legs feel like there is this pulsing going on that is the tempo of a dog scratching a flee. When this is going on, I can put my finger to my neck and feel that it is not my pulse. My pulse in my neck is always normal. But I’ve never been able to figure out what is causing this. There’s no discomfort and it is actually kind of a nice feeling (like a vibrator bed or something). It is only when I’m waking up and especially if I’m waking from a short nap. Has anyone ever experienced anything like that? I’ve tried to find a name for it or any online descriptions of it and the Google force just isn’t with me on it. It is not restless leg syndrom or anything like that. Have you guys who have symptoms ever considered or looked at if it could be excess electromagnetic energies in your vacinity? My sister is a cell phone freak and works in a hospital so is always surrounded by excess energy fields. I’m wondering if these odd heart rythms are more common these days or just the same as always, but no body had internet to exchange stories in the past. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/59 "2012-05-24T20:04:18Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > This happens to me too - the irregular beat will make me cough. I have mitral valve prolapse, which showed itself via the irregular beats in my mid-20s. Over time they’ve settled down quite a bit but occasionally I still have bouts of them. How interesting! Me too! I’ve had the weird beat issue since I was 21, but it’s usually rare (like maybe once a month). Lately it’s increased, but I think it’s due to being somewhat stressed out by unrelated health issues and due to some new prescriptions. My doctor thought it was nothing but gave me an EKG for other reasons, and no problems there. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111/60 "2012-05-25T00:20:19Z")
I’ve had the extra-beat THUMP thing for as long as I can remember. Last time I was at the doctor, I had my first EKG \ and he found nothing odd, so I guess it’s all good. Still scary, though, and I still do the ‘check my pulse through my neck’ thing at least once a month, making sure things are still going. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-heart-sometimes-skip-a-beat-or-beat-a-extra-pump/529111.md?page=4)