--Jed McKee, M.D., Internal Medicine Physician with the Alegent Health Clinic, Alegent Health Internal Medicine Specialists

Q:  I am 63, in good health and exercise a lot.  The other evening after drinking a big drink of very cold water, I think I experienced heart palpitations. I felt fast heartbeats and then it went away. I can feel my heart beat lots of times but I don't think it was ever speeded up and irregular before. My blood pressure is 110 over 60, and my heart rate is 60. Is this something to worry about? 

A:  I agree with your descriptions of these symptoms as palpitations.  Cardiovascular disease is difficult to predict in a given patient.  I would consider palpitations as a possible warning sign for cardiovascular disease.  Risk factors for heart disease (e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking) are helpful in determining management of patients with symptoms.  I would recommend an evaluation with your primary care physician to determine your risk for heart disease and proceed with further workup if necessary.