What Causes Occasional Irregular Heartbeat And Mild Chest Pain?

Posted on Mon, 24 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 Answered on

Wed, 9 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Should I be concerned about an occasional heartbeat or two which occur with mild to moderate associated chest pain.
The associated mild pain doesn't seem to involve anything other than my heart muscle.

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need examination

Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic

An occasional beat is usually not of much concern / but chest pain is… especially at this age, any pain should be investigated as heart pain –unless proved otherwise –

Appropriate treatment demands accurate diagnosis / And that demands examination; probably investigation too; Examination, ECG & Enzymes will clarify the issue in a matter of minutes... It is wiser to look and see rather than wait and guess
Go to ER / GET EXAMINED

Good luck
God bless you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (1 hour later)

I have a regular physician who sees me every three months. He has put me on his office electrocardioagram and says everything appears to be normal. Of course, these "palpatations" don't occur when I am being tested. My triglicerides are in the normal range, and my resting bp is 120/70. I am on Humalin 70/30, glimepiride and some other drugs. I am very sedentary but feel fine. I sleep 9-10 hrs a day.

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Reassuring... anything new or changed, investigate

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Your pressure and triglyceride are well controlled
You are blessed to have a good long sleep…

     Standard ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, for a few seconds. It can detect the arrhythmia occurring during that time only. If the episode occurs randomly or is precipitated by a specific activity like exercise - one needs Holter or event monitor. Holter records for days; Event Monitor for weeks… Holter records continuously; Event Monitor only at certain times
     Many cases of palpitation are benign, especially when associated with normal examination and ECHOcardiography and may not require treatment. If you also have symptoms like blurred vision, dizziness, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, chest pain along with this, you need further urgent work up
     TMT – Treadmill exercise ECG (a5 times with thallium isotope) – may be done to evaluate chest pain… ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease)

The treating doctor may suggest them depending on need, based on his assessment of the situation.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad