Medical Questions » Heart Questions » Question No. 487
| Question: | I am concerned about the occasional irregular heartbeat I get for no apparent cause. It happens about once a week for just two or three beats. I am a woman in my 20s and would like to know what it could be. |
| Answer: | There is a remote possibility that you may have a conduction abnormality in your heart, and to exclude this you should have an electrocardiograph performed by your family doctor.
By far the most likely reason for your occasional irregular heart beat is a condition known as paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT). This is a very common problem, but is usually more annoying than serious. It is far more common in women than in men, and tends to occur at certain times of the month—usually just before a period.
In some women the rapid heartbeats can last for an hour or two, and be quite distressing. In these cases, medication can be prescribed on a regular basis to prevent the problem. Most cases are similar to yours—a rapid pulse for just a few seconds or minutes.
Provided your medical check-up is normal, you can be reassured that there is nothing to be concerned about.
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