question: Hi doctor, I have a history of benign PVC. Lately, I am getting these pauses between heartbeats that are felt in my stomach that range from 2 to 12 a minute. I have gas and burping. How many pauses per minute are dangerous and is this a cardiac issue? I put my fingers on my pulse when it happens, and I can feel the pauses between beats. Sometimes, it is a beat, a pause, two beats, another pause, two more beats, and another pause, then regular rhythm for a minute or two. My anxiety is through the roof because of this, and I need to know what is going on. I am a 73 years old, who works 40 hours a week, and I go to the gym five days a week. Thank you.