Understanding Heart Palpitations: Causes, Symptoms & What to Do

Question
Dear Doctor,

I am 32 years old, female, 5ft 5" and weigh 91 kgs. I have a question regarding irregular, heart palpitations.  

I have experienced, on two different occasions very fast cardiac palpitations. I was awaken by these palpitations during the night.  They lasted around 5 minutes but were very frightening. The palpitations were accompanied by a shortness of breadth and severe shivering, which I could not control. I also felt really cold.

I never had any problems with my heart and as far as I know we do not have any serious family history of heart diseases (my grandfather underwent a by-pass operation in old age and lived for years after the operation).

After the first palpitation I went to the family doctor who found nothing wrong with me. The blood pressure was normal.

I have experienced shortness of breadth in the past while doing the normal day activities but since I am a very emotional person I assumed it was anxiety.  

I am worried that something is wrong with my heart. I searched on the Internet information regarding this problem but found the information too vague. Somehow obtaining information from a doctor is more reassuring.

Thanks for your time and attention,

Best regards,

Rosanne Vella
Malta, Europe

Answer
everyone gets these;  premature beats, made worse with stress, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco... at your age, there isn't anything wrong with the heart.... you can get a 24 hour heart monitor (Holter monitor) but that will just confirm what I said above..... no need to worry