For the last year, I get spasms on and off in the mid area of my sternum (always painless). Sometimes I will not have symtoms for a while. The feel like thumps inside and they will go all the way up to my throat. Mostly I notice when I am laying down to sleep at night is when I experiance the most symtoms. Again, always painless, don't suffer anything shortness of breath or lack of energy. I am about 10-15 lbs overweight which I am sure doesn't help but I am not obese. MY sister had open heart surgery at 6 months old but now is 31 years old and no new problems ever sense. What does this sound like, I plan on going to the doctor but I don't want to look silly. I am a 30 year old female generally healthy except for the 10-15 extra pounds.

I've had something similar feelings on rare occasions and have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A very deadly disease. I didn't have so much as a heart murmur to concern a doctor until I was in my mid twenties. The heart doctor didn't think I would have anything until after an echocardiogram.

It is worth getting checked. No, your doctor won't find it silly. Chances are it will be nothing serious, but your sister having had heart problems is enough to get you referred to a heart specialist. I have something similar.

I went to the Dr., had EKG and ultrasound. They diagnosed me with PVCs - premature ventricular contractions.

In my case, the Dr. said it was not life threatening and is more of an annoyance than anything else.