I am sorry that you are having such a terrible time. When I was first diagnosed with ectopics I was terrified I was about to drop dead. All I can say is that if your test was really bad they would have admitted you to hospital. My GP also told me that current medicines are very effective even for people who have severe arrythmia (not to say you have this). Sorry I don't have any other info, but I hope you feel better soon.

Okay, let's take a big deep breath and relax. The primary issue that I see responsible for elevating your concerns is taking any part of what a "consultant's secretary" shares with you as valid to any degree. I know of no secretaries that are professionally trained in reading diagnostic tests, moreover, who have the ability and the moxy in this case to try and enlighten a patient. Never try and elicit information about test results from anyone except your trained health professional, ie the doctor. If we see anything of concern about your tests, rest assured we won't be sitting on the fence rail.

I have never described any abherent readings as "rare." We do not deal in antiquities in the medical profession, which is where I believe the term "rare" appropriately belongs. I can tell you with all confidence that if your holter had indicated the presence, or even possible presence, of cardiac pathology, you'd have been whisked into the medical arena without hesitation. We don't just allow patients in such a position to simply sit by and wait while we look for an opportunity to next visit with them.

Also, your heart is not being damaged in any way whatsoever by benign palpitations. I have used the analogy of a misplaced telephone call to describe how harmless the events actually are and you should search out and read my postings where this is concerned.  

As for the respondant who read about a patient nearly dying from palpitations subsequent to a viral infection, you are speaking of an entirely different process altogether that has absolutely nothing to do with the benign variant of palpitations being experienced by persons on this forum. The problem with lay-person perceptions is that a palpitation is a palpitation is a palpitation in their minds. It's not that simplistic by any stretch of the imagination. There are thousands of various signs of disease that are quite separate from one another through the eyes of trained medical professionals. Media is largely responsible for misleading readers as well, having not done a thorough investigation into specificities of the malady they are attempting to highlight.

The more patients worry, the more they read in search of relief, only to find that often the information only serves to accelerate their fears because they oftentimes misconstrue one set of unrelated circumstances as comparable to their own based upon a few simple key words. Take great care when navigating medical literature. Without the proper training, you can find yourself headed for the emergency room without cause.  

The fact that you are only 38 is in your favor and I find it somewhat comforting that your symptoms have grown "worse" in your opinion since the holter test, strongly significant for anxiety. The pain you are likely suffering is more probably associated with a syndrome known as Da Costa's syndrome and is  both harmless and associated with symptoms of anxiety disorder.

You're going to be just fine.

Best regards and Good Health