IM 15 MY HEART JUST SKIPPED BEATS CAN I HAVE HEART ATTACk?!
Question: Don't worry, a skipped beat can indeed be extremely scary as one begins to fear whether they will suddenly die of a heart attack or go into sudden cardiac arrest. This is not the case: an isolated skipped beat means nothing in a structurally normal heart!
There are two main sections of the heart: the atria and ventricles. The atria is the "primer pump" for the ventricles and pump approximately 30% of blood that enters the heart into the ventricles. The right atrium also houses a structure known as the sinus node; the sinus node is a natural pacemaker in the body that initiates and maintains a heart beat, each discharge of electricity creates a heart beat. The frequent autonomic ability of the SA node gives what we know as Normal Sinus Rhythm.
A skipped beat occurs when there is another part of the heart that discharges an electrical impulse before the SA node has a chance to fire. This results in a beat following a very fast beat, a pause then normal beats afterwards. There are two types of skipped beats, a PVC and a PAC, both doing basically the same thing, however, a PVC occurs in the ventricles whilst a PAC occurs in the atria. PVC's usually have a larger pause before the next beat as the SA node is not reset.
There are several combinations of skipped beats: rhythms known as Bigeminy, Trigeminy, Quadrigeminy, Couplet, Triplet. These, however, are usually seen only in persons with structural heart disease or congenital electrical defects within the heart in a structurally normal heart. These can be found with tests known as an Echocardiogram, where a probe is placed over the heart, giving a moving image of the heart, its valves, chambers,etc and an ECG which is a test for the electrical activity in your heart. It is best to go to your doctor to get these tests done, to make sure nothing is wrong.
All of us have skipped beats, some people can feel them, and others can't: the ones who can usually feel a thump in their chest or neck, or a pause in rhythm feeling as though the heart has stopped beating. None of these are to worry about. The only time to worry is if they happen in a sequence right after each other, this requires medical intervention, but again, this happens in a structurally abnormal heart.
Answers: Don't worry, a skipped beat can indeed be extremely scary as one begins to fear whether they will suddenly die of a heart attack or go into sudden cardiac arrest. This is not the case: an isolated skipped beat means nothing in a structurally normal heart!
There are two main sections of the heart: the atria and ventricles. The atria is the "primer pump" for the ventricles and pump approximately 30% of blood that enters the heart into the ventricles. The right atrium also houses a structure known as the sinus node; the sinus node is a natural pacemaker in the body that initiates and maintains a heart beat, each discharge of electricity creates a heart beat. The frequent autonomic ability of the SA node gives what we know as Normal Sinus Rhythm.
A skipped beat occurs when there is another part of the heart that discharges an electrical impulse before the SA node has a chance to fire. This results in a beat following a very fast beat, a pause then normal beats afterwards. There are two types of skipped beats, a PVC and a PAC, both doing basically the same thing, however, a PVC occurs in the ventricles whilst a PAC occurs in the atria. PVC's usually have a larger pause before the next beat as the SA node is not reset.
There are several combinations of skipped beats: rhythms known as Bigeminy, Trigeminy, Quadrigeminy, Couplet, Triplet. These, however, are usually seen only in persons with structural heart disease or congenital electrical defects within the heart in a structurally normal heart. These can be found with tests known as an Echocardiogram, where a probe is placed over the heart, giving a moving image of the heart, its valves, chambers,etc and an ECG which is a test for the electrical activity in your heart. It is best to go to your doctor to get these tests done, to make sure nothing is wrong.
All of us have skipped beats, some people can feel them, and others can't: the ones who can usually feel a thump in their chest or neck, or a pause in rhythm feeling as though the heart has stopped beating. None of these are to worry about. The only time to worry is if they happen in a sequence right after each other, this requires medical intervention, but again, this happens in a structurally abnormal heart.
That depends on several things, mostly heredity and your general health. As long as you don't have an excessive family history of heart disease and are in generally good health, a teenager should never have to worry about a heart attack. Also, there are other symptoms that signal that one is having one as well as signals that show up much earlier. Your heart skipping a beat (or more) could be from fatigue (after strenuous exercise) or could be something more serious, but I wouldn't think you should go directly to ICU just yet. If your parents believe that there is a problem, they should take you to see your family doctor, who can better advise what to do (and probably ease your concerns).
Justin
Your heart "skipping" around may or may not be serious. Anyone at any age can have a heart attack, though the most common causes are athersclerosis (fatty arteries) and arteriosclerosis (hardened arteries) which are diseases of the elderly unless you have a genetic trait for one of them which is rare. (aka hyperlipidemia etc)
Please tell your parents about it and get in to see your pediatrician soon as you can. But please do not worry in the mean time, you are very likely fine. :)
The skipped heart beat is probably a Premature Ventricular Contraction(PVC). It may sound bad, but it's actually quite harmless when it happens only occasionally. Everyone has them once in a while...sometimes they don't even notice it. If you are experiencing these continuously I would have a doctor check it out.
Its probably not a heart attack but rather a heart mummer that youve never noticed. If its painful I would see a doctor.
i say listen to Dr. Jeff, i think he was the 3rd or 4th answer but i think hes right...
good luck!
What you described sounds like palpitations. Palpitations are unpleasant sensations of forceful, rapid, or irregular heart beats. Many patients complain of palpitations (~15%), and while the cause is usually benign, they occasionally may be symptoms of a serious underlying disease.
Since this is causing you concern, I suggest that you discuss this problem with your primary doctor. However, if you develop severe chest pain, dizziness or loss of consciousness, seek medical attention immediately.