Wonky heartbeat

[iamed]

Is it 'normal' to have a slightly irregular heart rhythm, such as a dropped beat every 3-5 beats?

I know it can be normal in many species (such as dogs and horses), but I've no idea about in people.

[Chris71]

If that happens all the time I'd say no. It is, however, completely normal to have a few off beats every so often (in fact that 'falling to earth' feeling you get when drifting off to sleep is when you heart stops and restarts itself!)

Stress and anxiety are often the causes of palpatations and are harmless, but if in doubt check with a doctor.

[MacGee]

can speed up/slow down with breathing....

[naffa]

Get to the docs mate, its a sign that theres something wrong.

I had similar 10 years ago and without medical help I'd have been dead years ago.

[ucb]

You cannot really be advised without knowing what the underlying heart rhythm is.
The only advice I would suggest is that if something is concerning you, then see your doctor/GP. It is what they are paid for. And believe me, somebody presenting at a GP practice with a medical complaint is a rare and interesting thing!!

[Chilli]

I've had similar for years. Steady beat, then BANG, a massive one! Then a few wobbly ones, then back to normal. Had all the checks, nitto. All normal, probably just diet related.
Good to have a proper check-up though, puts your mind at rest, at least.

[maddog993]

We all tend to have occasional 'dropped'/missed beats now and again, also extra 'ectopic' beats every so often (especially if you've been on the caffeine), it can even be quite common to have short runs of SVT/Atrial Tachycardia/palpatations but if you think your pulse is particularly irregular - (quite common >50 years old for Atrial Fibrillation to occur) and even more pertinently, if you find it's becoming symptomatic in that you are becoming say frequently breathless/dizzy/fatigued etc then well worth booking yourself in for an ecg. Ultimately could be any number of insidious causes (Bundle Branch Block, Sick Sinus syndrome, etc, etc) However, remember the average GP doesn't necessarily know much about ECG recognition and if there's an anomaly you'll likely be referred on to a Cardiologist for more definitive testing(possible 24 hr ecg monitoring), diagnosis and treatment.

[Z4monster]

It can be down to stress and too much caffeine. I had a spell of it when I was waiting for a major op and I was pretty stressed about the whole thing.

But as othres have said Get To The Docs! and get it checked out. It could be something worse that can be treated easily at this stage.

[Dupont666]

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/00...

I suggest you read this

[bazking69]

It could be palpitations or a minor murmor, but it is probably nothing to worry about and down to caffine, stress, bad diet etc.

I would however get yourself to a doctor for confirmation.

[rlw]

Probably better than no heartbeat however........