Skipped Heart Beats

[tanless1]

Gave blood recently, and during the predonation interview they noticed my heart missed 7 beats during whatever time frame they reference. Now I did have a heart murmur in my youth , but through all the physicals and doctors visits its not been mentioned. Will I live longer as my heart doesn't hit every beat ? And should I smoke better cigars ?

[Dr Steve]

Gave blood recently, and during the predonation interview they noticed my heart missed 7 beats during whatever time frame they reference. Now I did have a heart murmur in my youth , but through all the physicals and doctors visits its not been mentioned. Will I live longer as my heart doesn't hit every beat ? And should I smoke better cigars ?


The question is whether your heart missed 7 beats in a row, or simply skipped 7 beats over the period that they listened.

Skipped beats are actually "premature" contractions and can be centered in the top part of the heart (premature atrial contractions) or the bottom (premature ventricular contractions). Both are benign the vast majority of the time.

7 in 30 seconds is getting up there, though; I'd let your primary care provider confirm this for you. If they think it's necessary, a monitor can be placed ("holter monitor") that will record every heartbeat for 24 hours to see if there's anything scary going on.

Some people have them all the time and never notice them. Some people notice every single "skipped" beat and it drives them crazy. There's medication for the latter group.

let me know what you find out!

your friend,



steve