Missing heart beats

[SathingtonWilloby]

Hi. Do any of you have missing heart beats (non conducted p waves)? I've been suffering them & was worried about heart block. Two cardiologists I've seen say no they're just ectopics. I don't understand why they're not a Heart block. Do any of you get these? Thanks.

[Palpman]

Most of us get what you describe. The absence of P waves are typical of AFib and can occur during ectopic beats as well.

There are different degrees of heartblock. Complete heartblock is when no pulse signal from the Atrium's sinus node gets past the AV node to the ventricles. This cannot sustain life.

A partial heartblock is common where only every second or third pulse gets through to fire the ventricles. This can clearly be seen by missing QRS waves and can be felt as ectopic beats.

A pacemaker is required if heartblock is continuous and cannot be medically remedied.

A missing P wave has nothing to do with heartblock.

[SathingtonWilloby in reply to Palpman]

Thanks Palpman. I thought I was alone in experiencing this.

[MoundMan]

Agree with Palpman. Not conversant with most heart language. If by 'missing heartbeats', it's meant same as what I know to be slow afib ( concluded recently have had since childhood )', in my experience this doesn't constitute 'heart block'. Eventually though, this becomes a major energy 'suck'. Have not viewed as life-threatening; rather as life-altering. Gratefully in my case was addressed in summer. So far no missed heart beats/slow afib.

[Kjd7777 in reply to MoundMan]

How did you address it?

[Kjd7777]

Hi I’ve been getting these since my 20’s. A holter caught over 62 in a 24 hr period then. They also told me they are harmless. I am 41 now and get PVC, PAC, PAT and SVT and they tell me they are harmless as well. I’ve had 2 EPS studies w no ablation. I’m at a loss now. Idk what to do. They scare me especially the SVT it’s great to hear it’s “harmless” but it sure doesn’t feel like it. Limit caffeine, take magnesium threonate, lots of water and rest.