What's happening when my heart skips a beat?

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  1. Columbia University Department of Surgery
     
    Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:
    Premature beats or extra beats most often cause irregular heart rhythms. If you've ever felt your heart "skip a beat," it was probably from a premature beat.

    The heart doesn't really skip a beat. Instead an extra beat comes sooner than normal. Then there's a pause that causes the next beat to be more forceful.

    In some cases, premature ventricular contractions (PVC) are caused by disease or injury to the heart, and certain individuals may require medical therapies. PVCs can also be related to high or low potassium levels.
    Premature beats or extra beats most often cause irregular heart rhythms. If you've ever felt your heart "skip a beat," it was probably from a premature beat. The heart doesn't really skip a beat. Instead an extra beat comes sooner than normal. Then... More