Expert: David Richardson - 11/4/2009

Question
Mr. Richardson:

I just had, what it felt like, about 3 skipped beats in a row. I do not have any structural heart disease as I had an echo and numerous EKG's and blood work. I have been getting weird palpitations lately, but I have been extremely anxious and nervous lately, and I am a very anxious person.

Are these skipped beats, at least that is what I think they are, and racing heart dangerous?

I am another person that is very worried about their heart. Even though I am told not to worry, that my heart is fine. If my heart is fine, why should I get all these weird palpitations?

Thank you for your quick reply.  

Answer
Dear Rita,

Skipped beats are normal heart activity, no threat to life or health in someone with normal EKG and echo.  About half of us have them, they are easy to understand as normal from knowledge of the heart's electrical system, and they don't mean you will ever get heart disease or any catastrophe.  They are truly harmless.  Anxiety and panic make them more frequent.

No, skipped beats and racing heart are not dangerous.

David Richardson