Whenever I listen to my heartbeat, I notice it goes through fits of erratic beating or skipping. What's up?

We have a few stethoscopes lying around the house (don't ask), and when I lie in bed I can hear my heartbeat through the pillow. I notice that my heart beats normally, but after every minute or so (sometimes less than that, sometimes up to five, possibly eight minutes) something strange will happen to the beat. Sometimes it'll sound like it skips a beat or two, it sort of stumbles I guess. Other times it gets a lot slower for a few seconds, then returns to its normal rhythm. Other times, and this is the most common, it'll suddenly speed up, like REALLY speed up and go super fast for a few seconds and then returns to normal. I'm not sure if it's hereditary or not, but I think my grandfather may have had irregular heartbeat (I'm not positive!)... though I thought that condition meant the heartbeat was irregular constantly, not sporadically like mine. I'm only seventeen years old. I've noticed this for some years now and have just thought to ask about it.

When I listen to my heartbeat, I notice that my heart beats normally, but after every minute or so (sometimes less than that, sometimes up to five, possibly eight minutes) something strange will happen to the beat. Sometimes it'll sound like it skips a beat or two, it sort of stumbles I guess. Other times it gets a lot slower for a few seconds, then returns to its normal rhythm. Other times, and this is the most common, it'll suddenly speed up, like REALLY speed up and go super fast for a few seconds and then returns to normal. I'm not sure if it's hereditary or not, but I think my grandfather may have had irregular heartbeat (I'm not positive!)... though I thought that condition meant the heartbeat was irregular constantly, not sporadically like mine. I'm only seventeen years old. I've noticed this for some years now and have just thought to ask about it.
ADDED: Occasionally I also have a very intense pain in my chest that seems to be in the area of my heart.... just an fyi

Probably PVC, or premature ventricular contractions which usually are benign. That being said, this is something you really should get checked out by a doctor. We have had a couple of young girls die in Houston recently while they were playing sports. I don't want to freak you out, but talk about this with your family Dr. next time you go.

you might have a heart murmur i have this probl;em its a hole in your heart caused from stress i have to have surgery for it

Well if you had heart murmur you would have known by now. It sounds like this is something you are observing lately. So you may be having heart palpitations. Many things cause heart palpitations. It could be that you have heart disease. I would think that would be the case if you are over 40 or even above since you are female. Otherwise it could be that you have a metabolic syndrome or diabetes (low sugar) very high tri-glycerides. Anyhow you need to see a doctor.

You need to go and see your doctor about this problem. I have the same problem but I'm older than you. My doctor thinks I may need a pace maker. Be good to yourself and get it checked out :0) Check out the heart and stroke foundation on the web. Lots of really good information there.