Q: I experience shocks that last a few seconds. My doctor tells me that it is just stress (extrasystoles). What is the difference between extrasystole and arrhythmia? Do I need to worry?
A: Extrasystoles are one of the forms of arrhythmia. In fact, these forms include accelerated heartbeats, single heartbeat, heartbeats in short bursts, heartbeats in pairs or triplets, feeling of a “sinking heart” or feeling of “pounding in the throat.” They can be trigged by stress or emotional swings, by the presence of an underlying cardiac disease or they may indicate a heart disease. If they occur frequently, it is necessary to consult with a doctor to receive a full cardiological assessment with an electrocardiogram.
