Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

Suddenly a lot of heart palpitations

November 29, 2015 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello,

first of all, about me: I am male, 27 years old, non-smoker, but quite overweight because I eat too much fast food and sweets.

For many years, I have had occasional "heart palpitations". I have been to the doctor many times for this, but unfortunately, I never experienced these palpitations during the examinations (typical show effect!), so no doctor has ever seen them.

I had a 24-hour Holter monitor in both 2010 and 2012, as well as several regular EKGs (the last EKG was less than half a year ago). The results: my values were always good, no abnormalities, everything in perfect order.

But, as mentioned before, I never had these palpitations during the measurements.

Through the internet, I have come to the conclusion that they may be extrasystoles. My doctors also believe this. And they are supposed to be harmless in healthy hearts.

Nevertheless, I am always scared when it happens. Fortunately, it usually happens very rarely, maybe every few days I have a heart palpitation.

However, yesterday I had a day where I had many of these, probably 10 of them. And even though they are harmless, I wonder where they come from. And they feel really unpleasant, I am always terrified that my heart will stop anytime soon.

I have an anxiety disorder (extreme hypochondria, as you can probably tell from my many posts here), but could that really be the trigger? And if so, then I should always have it so severely, not just yesterday.

Today, I had another palpitation, but so far only one. So it seems to be a bit better than yesterday.

Still, the fear remains: is it possible that it is not harmless? Should I worry? Should I possibly have another Holter monitor done? Should I even go to the hospital if it happens again today like yesterday?

As I said, I am really worried that my heart will just stop one day.

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good day,

It is normal to have 100 or more extrasystoles, which a healthy person rarely feels. Some people have 400 a day. In the long-term ECG, a congenital rhythm disorder that could cause the heart to stop has been ruled out. Nothing dangerous remains undetected in the 24-hour ECG, as dangerous events do not just happen occasionally.

Therefore, I would not go to the hospital and only have a long-term ECG done if the last one was at least 1 year ago. But actually, that is also unnecessary, and hypochondria unfortunately gets worse with every doctor's visit.

So, relax!

Warm regards, Dr. Höllering