Some people also describe this feeling as a sudden pause as if the heart stops then one big mighty thump. Or as if the heart forgot to beat for a second. Some people do find this sensation to be a little frightening.

A question I am asked a lot is "I get a lot of skipped beats do many other people get this?"

The answer is YES!

Even people who do not suffer from anxiety and panic often report a sensation of a "skipped beat".

Now of course I am not a doctor, however... When I wore a 24 hour Holter monitor I did record in my diary a feeling of a skipped beat a few times. And for every time I recorded feeling a "skipped beat" it coincided with an "ectopic heart beat".

My cardiologist informed me that almost everyone has an ectopic beat and they're harmless.

If you are concerned about it this is something you could maybe bring forth on your next doctors visit. There are certain things that can make this sensation more frequent, for example; stress, cigarette smoking, alcohol, caffeine, even exercise can bring it on.

If it's really worrying you, your doctor may recommend a beta-blocker to reduce the amount of skipped beats you feel.

Note: Never self diagnose. Make sure you visit your local GP first. All material provided is for informational or educational purposes only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your doctor regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.

Joanne King - http://www.anxiety-panic-free.com