<s>[INST] I've recently had flu and a respiratory infection and have, for the past 10 days, felt like my heart keeps skipping a beat. It happens every 20 secs - 1 minute. It makes me feel light headed and also causes me to cough. Is this normal? Should I go to the doctors and get it checked out? [/INST] After a viral illness, extra beats that feel like skips are very common. In particular, extra beats from the lower chambers, PVC's, may give the sensation of a need to cough. Isolated PVC's are common and not necessarily worrisome. Most of the time, this goes away with no intervention over two to three weeks. If it doesn't and remains bothersome, a visit with the doctor may be useful. </s>