Are skipped heartbeats and dizziness a serious concern?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have some problems with my heartbeat. It has been three days today and still, I am feeling the same thing. My heartbeat skips for a few minutes and then go on. I went to the hospital and get it checked. The doctor at the hospital ordered for x-ray, blood tests and ECG as well. All results came back normal. But why am I feeling uncomfortable?

There is a skip in a heartbeat and a bit of dizziness, but no chest pain or breathlessness. I still can breath normal but sometimes when the heartbeat skips I can feel having trouble breathing a bit. Though it is not serious the only thing I am worrying about is the heartbeat skip tats all. Please let me know is it not serious and can I get back to my normal life? And the doctor at the hospital told me there is no medication for this. Is this true?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As per your history, you are having skipped beats with dizziness. No prior history, no chest pain or breathlessness. In this case, what I do in practice is to have a cardiac examination and get ECG (electrocardiogram). As in most of the cases, we will get some clue. Now if you are saying all these were normal and still you are having the symptoms, I would like to know any particular stressor that is causing these symptoms? Also, I would like to see your ECG, whether it was a 12 lead with a long lead?

If your symptoms are persistent there is a test called telemetry where you wear a device that will record the ECG at the time you are having symptoms. As sometimes these skipped beats are intermittent. This will help in confirmation. Another thing I would like to ask if you are having any difficulties in swallowing or drinking water or whether the skipped beats occur during swallowing? As esophageal motility problems can also mimic your symptoms.