What does frequent palpitation mean?

Hello doctor,

I am experiencing frequent skipping of my heartbeat currently. It happens up to five times in one minute, around three to five times a day. Earlier, it would happen occasionally, maybe once per month and sometimes once per week, but since last month, it gradually started to increase and reached the frequency mentioned. The only change that has happened in my lifestyle is that I have been more active as I go to the gym two or three times per week. However, since last week I have not gone to the gym, yet I am experiencing heartbeat skips with such high frequency. I do not take any supplements or vitamins. My medical history consists of a cardiac issue for which I took beta blockers seven years ago as I had experienced atrial fibrillation for a couple of months. I also frequently undergo an electrocardiogram, ECHO, blood picture, kidney profile, and liver profile, and the results have always been great. My bad cholesterol (LDL) levels were significantly high six months ago, for which I took medication for one month, and since then the levels came back to normal.

I am currently 41 years old weighing 185 lbs, and 5.8 feet tall. I would also like to tell you that I do not sleep well, and my stress levels are higher than normal. My eating habits are pretty normal. I drink on weekends and can consume ten beers a day. My blood pressure is generally normal but sometimes can be slightly high. My sugar levels are normal. I used to experience palpitations after eating in the past, then I was drinking heavily and had a sedentary lifestyle, but nowadays, it rarely happens. The bottom line is I have been having such a lifestyle for some time and need to know the cause behind the repetitive skipping of heartbeats that I am experiencing currently. Lastly, I would like to wrap up my symptoms by mentioning my current heartbeat skips, which is up to five times in one minute, and it happens several times a day. I request you to advise.

Hello doctor,

Thank you. I have seen a psychiatrist, and he prescribed Duloxetine. I will try to stop alcohol as you requested. But will Duloxetine make my palpitations and skipping beats worse? I sometimes take Inderal when I have palpitations. Should I use it if Duloxetine causes palpitations? Should I take a beta blocker if the skipping beats continue or worsen?

Hello doctor,

Thanks again. I have attached an ECG, and I have just had it with my smartwatch during a time I had a skipped beat. The ECG was not made during the time the skipped beat happened but in the same couple of minutes. When did you say in your message today that I can take a beta blocker for the palpitations? Did you also mean the skipping beat, or should I take something else for the skipping beats?

Thank you doctor for the reply,

I am on Duloxetine 60mg, and I take it daily. Today, I woke up early, had my breakfast, and then my blood pressure spiked to 145/95 mmHg. I took one Captopril, and I felt better. After lunch, the same thing happened, and I took another Captopril. It is been almost an hour since the second Captopril pill, and my blood pressure is now 137/87 mmHg. I do not usually experience such issues, but I occasionally have palpitations after meals and sometimes experience skipped beats during times of stress, like now. One last thing... I forgot to take my Duloxetine yesterday, and I am not sure if this is related. Should I take it, or will it worsen my blood pressure?

Thank you.