Heart stops for 2-3 seconds a sign of fitness or a sign of heart problems

Either your hand missed a beat or you do not feel good

7 / 10.........Mentioning the Warinju quote was key, but lacked body overall.

My heart skips a beat from time to time (once every few weeks). About two years ago when I was just starting to get back in shape after a long break, it was doing it 6-10 times a day. I was worried and went to the doc, but he said if there's no pain or dizziness that it's nothing to worry about. 2-3 seconds sounds like a long time though, are you sure that wasn't maybe a bit less and FELT like longer?

I actually get this too. Not for 2-3 seconds, but a longer than normal pause followed by a stronger beat

This used to happen to me alot. Someone on this site said it could be low potassium. I started eating a couple of bananas every day and maybe it's a coincidence but it hasn't happened again for at least a year.

As your C O A C H, I advise you to use the Google to look up "premature atrial contractions."

Odds are these "skipped beats" are in response to an arryhthmia like Premature beats (PACs or PVCs), after which the heart takes a little longer to fill with blood again. Millions of people have them, but still not a bad idea to have checked out. Runners get these more than the standard population. One of the hypotheses is that the lower resting heart rate (50 or below) confuses the electrical system.

Thanks for that information. I've had this same issue for several years. I have been checked out by a M.D., & it was PVC's. My resting rate is, sometimes, 40. Maybe there is some validity w/the electrical system.

Weird. This exact same thing happened to me this morning. I think it was a long-delayed beat, followed by a THUMP, followed by a bit of faster-than-normal beating. I was brushing my son's hair. I stopped cold and went over to a chair and sat down. Didn't feel right for a little while. I quickly strapped on my HR monitor and my pulse was back to normal almost immediately: 55 or so.

I haven't been sleeping as well--been waking very early (4:30-5:30)--for the past two weeks. In the past, I've noticed this very occasional arythmia when I'm having sleep problems, or, alternately, when I've had too much coffee.

It's never happened while I'm running or racing, so I haven't been worried. And it rarely happens regardless. But yes: that THUMP will get your attention!

It all comes down to the vagus nerve and it's role in trying to keep homeostsis. Since under 50 is considered bradychardia, the vagus nerve often starts trying to regulate what doesn't really need to be regulated. There are also plenty of spots inside the atrium that that can send phantom signals when the sinus doesn't fire every second or so. Benign in most cases but can cause problems in some.