Heart Palpitations
Palpitations are sensations that you may suddenly become aware of and you feel like your heart is pounding, racing, or fluttering. You may have an unpleasant awareness of your own heartbeat or may experience rapid or irregular beats. These may also be described as skipped beats. These “palpitations” may be felt in your chest, throat or neck. Heart palpitations may or may not be related to an abnormal heart rate.
There are many factors that many cause heart palpitations including emotion, anxiety, stress, fear, panic, anemia, caffeine, certain medications, certain medical conditions such as overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, abnormal electrolytes, low oxygen level in the blood and dehydration. Heart palpitations can also occur if the individual has a fever, is hyperventilating, uses nicotine or other drugs.
Palpitations may signify a more serious problem if one feels, confused, dizzy, lightheaded, has shortness of breath or has symptoms of passing out. If one experiences these symptoms, or any type of chest discomfort along with these symptoms it is important to contact your physician right away or if appropriate seek emergency medical attention.
The underlying cause of palpitations starts with a history by a physician including asking about your symptoms, diet, and review of medications and any herbal products as a possible cause. You may be asked if you feel skipped beats, if your heart rate feels too slow or too fast, if there is a regular or irregular pattern to the sensations, if the palpitations begin or end suddenly, if you feel fluttering, pounding, or racing, and if these palpitations occur in relation to emotional feelings, change in body position, or when you are lying down or exercising. The evaluation includes a physical examination, basic blood tests, and diagnostic tests including an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram or “ultrasound of the heart”, and frequently an ambulatory twenty-four cardiac monitor also known as a holter monitor.
Treatment is dependent on what is causing the palpitations. Frequently no medication is needed. At times it is recommended to decrease stress and other risk factors including caffeine, smoking nicotine, and avoiding activities that may be associated with palpitations. It is also advisable to eat a well balanced low fat diet and exercise regularly and consider stress management techniques.
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