Concerning skipped heart beats...(anyone with knowledge on the subject)?!

Concerning skipped heart beats...(anyone with knowledge on the subject)?

Recently, I have had problems with noticing skipped heart beats or whatever the term used to describe it is. My heart will beat multiple times normally (probably around 8-14) and then do something that feels like a double beat. They are not very easy to notice, but paranoid like I am, I spend the better part of my day holding my hand to my chest.

I am a good weight (Lower side of normal) but I have not been active for a long time. I would say i am unfit. I also have a past with anxiety, but i don't want to use that as a scapegoat without real assurance that this is not a serious problem. If anyone has any information or advice, please help.

2 weeks ago
forgot to mention i'm 19 years old.

What you are experiencing is most likely PACs (pre-atrial contractions). The heart doesn't actually 'skip' a beat...it beats twice in succession to make up for a weaker previous beat to expell all the blood from the atrium.
I can't diagnose you with this online obviously but that's the most common form of arrythmia other than the palpitation (quick, fluttery succession of beats that kind of take your breath away).
Anxiety MOST DEFINITELY will perpetuate PACs. Lack of sleep can cause them, caffeine can cause them, lack of exercise can cause them. All of those together will definitely perpetuate them.
You need to go in for a checkup to make sure. It's the only thing that will make you rest easy after a doc says you're OK.
the problem is that when you feel them, you get nervous and shoot adrenaline into your heart from your nervous system as the result of being scared or surprised by the heart beats. This adrenaline makes your heart beat faster and can perpetuate a case of PACs.
There is also an arrythmia called atrial fibrillation that you should google. It is an arrythmia that is a little less common but still fairly benign (not really dangerous to most people...the elderly and infirm are at risk to a degree). If you recognize those symptoms, be sure to ask your doctor. The problem is, most of the time when you go in for an EKG, you're relaxed because you're in a doc's office or hospital so it's hard to catch them. And EKGs only measure a short amount of heartbeats. You may have to wear a Holter monitor for a few days or get an echocardiogram (ultrasound for the heart) to make sure things are OK. It'll be worth it because when you get a diagnoses, you'll be able to not worry about those things the next time they arise. After you break the cycle of fear and adrenaline that causes them to continue, they will begin to go away.
Start to get some light exercise, even if it's just walking daily, lay off the caffeine (seriously a huge trigger for me) and make sure to get enough sleep. Following those rules may elliminate them altogether but you should still see your family doctor for his opinion. Good luck