HomeAnswersCardiologyskipped heartbeatI experience a skipped heartbeat and increased heartrate sometimes. What could be the reason?

Can consuming alcohol and not exercising can result in you skipping a heartbeat sometimes?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Isaac Gana

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At March 27, 2022
Reviewed AtJuly 20, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am fatigued almost always, and sometimes I feel a pinch in my heart (I think it is the heart). Every few weeks, I experience a skip of the heartbeat, some times it is mild, and rarely it is strong. I consume alcohol a lot, and I do not exercise. I quit smoking a few years ago. When I drink, my heartbeat elevates the following day. I take tablet Inderal once every two weeks. Before, I used to have AF when I drank a lot, but it has not occurred recently. I have done several heart checkups before, and it always shows that my heart is healthy. I do not want to be overwhelmed with psychosomatic symptoms; however, I know heart diseases are silent killers, so I do not want to ignore any signs. Please help me with this. Currently, I am taking an antidepressant tablet Paroxetine 12.5 mg. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Isaac Gana

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I sincerely understand how you are feeling. Please do not worry. Your lifestyle habits of heavy drinking and past smoking put you at risk of heart disease but do not necessarily mean that you have heart disease. Skipped heartbeats you experience are known as palpitations. They can be triggered by drinking, smoking, stress, etc. I would suggest you drastically reduce the consumption of alcohol to reduce the frequency of palpitations. Have you done an echocardiogram (echo), electrocardiogram (ECG), and lipid profile test? When was the last time you did these tests? Were you placed on medications previously when diagnosed with atrial fibrillation? Please mention your weight and height to ascertain your body mass index (BMI). Best regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your response. I did those tests ten months back, and everything was fine. I used to experience similar symptoms of fatigue at that time, but the test results were good. I weigh more than 176 pounds and I am 5' 7" tall. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Isaac Gana

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Ten months back is quite a long time. I suggest you do the test again because of your chance and history of heart disease. You are overweight, and this will also increase your chances of coronary artery disease. Were you diagnosed by a doctor with atrial fibrillation? When was the last time you had atrial fibrillation? Do you have any leg swelling or cough? Please repeat the investigations and also do a chest x-ray. Best regards.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply. The atrial fibrillation was a one-time incident whereby I took tablet Betacor for a few months, and I have rarely experienced it since then. I have no leg swelling or cough. I have been taking Concore 2.5 mg for a week now as my blood pressure was a bit high (130/90 mm of Hg) and sometimes (140/95 mm of Hg). I have attached some updated laboratory results done two months back. Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Isaac Gana

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I have checked your test results (attachment removed to protect the patient’s identity). All the parameters are within normal limits. It simply means your symptoms are not associated with anemia. However, I would like to know, have you experienced any heart skipping since you resumed taking tablet Concore (Bisoprolol fumarate)? Do you still feel any symptoms? Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply. Please recheck my reports, my cholesterol is far above average, and I think you might want to go through the history of our conversation one more time. I never took tablet Concore before. Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Isaac Gana

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I downloaded the first report (attachment removed to protect the patient’s identity), showing the full blood count without the other investigations. The findings are as follows FBC (full blood count) - Parameters within this test are within normal limits. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is normal. In lipid profile test, serum cholesterol is high. Glycated hemoglobin, kidney, and liver function are all within normal. High cholesterol can predispose you to heart disease. I suggest you need to be on Statins for at least a month. I suggest you take a tablet of Atorvastatin 10 mg daily for a month. It will help to quickly reduce the levels. Do you still get that pinching feeling? I hope you get well soon.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Isaac Gana
Dr. Isaac Gana

Cardiology

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