Heart palpitations are the sensation that your heart has skipped a beat or added an extra beat. It may also feel like your heart is racing, pounding, or fluttering.
You may become overly aware of your heartbeat. This sensation can be felt in the neck, throat, or chest. Your heart rhythm may be changing during the palpitations.
Some types of heart palpitations are harmless and resolve on their own without treatment. But in other cases, heart palpitations can indicate a serious condition. Usually, a diagnostic test called “ambulatory arrhythmia monitoring” can help to distinguish benign from more malignant arrhythmias.
Causes of heart palpitations
Possible causes of heart palpitations include: strenuous exercise, excess caffeine or alcohol use, nicotine from tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, fear, panic, dehydration , hormonal changes, including pregnancy, electrolyte abnormalities, low blood sugar, anemia, overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, low levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the blood, blood loss, shock, fever, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including cold and cough medications, herbal supplements, and nutritional supplements, prescription medications such as asthma inhalers and decongestants, stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, heart disease, arrhythmia, or an irregular heart rhythm, abnormal heart valves, smoking, sleep apnea.
Some heart palpitations are harmless, but they can indicate an underlying illness when you also have: congestive heart failure a diagnosed heart condition heart disease risk factors a defective heart valve.
When to get immediate medical attention
Seek medical attention right away if you have heart palpitations and a diagnosed heart problem. Also seek medical attention if you have palpitations that occur with other symptoms such as:
Dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness, fainting, loss of consciousness, confusion, difficulty breathing, excessive sweating, pain, pressure, or tightening in your chest, pain in your arms, neck, chest, jaw, or upper back, a resting pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute, shortness of breath.
These could be symptoms of a more serious condition.
Diagnosing the cause of heart palpitations
The cause of heart palpitations can be very difficult to diagnose, especially if the palpitations don’t occur while you’re in the doctor’s office or are not caught on the arrhythmia monitor you wear.
If necessary, your doctor may refer you to a heart specialist called a cardiologist. Tests to help rule out certain diseases or heart problems include:
blood test, urine test, stress test, a recording of the heart’s rhythm for 24 to 48 hours using a machine called a Holter monitor, ultrasound of the heart, or an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, electrophysiology study to check your heart’s electrical function, coronary angiography to check how blood flows through your heart.
Treatment for heart palpitations
Treatment depends on the cause of your palpitations. Your doctor will need to address any underlying medical conditions.
Preventing heart palpitations
If your doctor feels that treatment isn’t necessary, you can take these steps to decrease your chance of getting palpitations:
Try to identify your triggers so that you can avoid them. Keep a log of your activities, as well as the foods and beverages you eat, and note when you get palpitations.
If you’re anxious or stressed, try relaxation exercises, deep breathing, yoga, or tai chi.
Limit or stop your intake of caffeine. Avoid energy drinks.
Don’t smoke or use tobacco products.
If a medication is causing palpitations, ask your doctor if there are any alternatives.
Exercise regularly.
Stick to a healthy diet.
Minimize alcohol intake.
Try to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.
You may become overly aware of your heartbeat. This sensation can be felt in the neck, throat, or chest. Your heart rhythm may be changing during the palpitations.
Some types of heart palpitations are harmless and resolve on their own without treatment. But in other cases, heart palpitations can indicate a serious condition. Usually, a diagnostic test called “ambulatory arrhythmia monitoring” can help to distinguish benign from more malignant arrhythmias.
Causes of heart palpitations
Possible causes of heart palpitations include: strenuous exercise, excess caffeine or alcohol use, nicotine from tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, fear, panic, dehydration , hormonal changes, including pregnancy, electrolyte abnormalities, low blood sugar, anemia, overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, low levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the blood, blood loss, shock, fever, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including cold and cough medications, herbal supplements, and nutritional supplements, prescription medications such as asthma inhalers and decongestants, stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, heart disease, arrhythmia, or an irregular heart rhythm, abnormal heart valves, smoking, sleep apnea.
Some heart palpitations are harmless, but they can indicate an underlying illness when you also have: congestive heart failure a diagnosed heart condition heart disease risk factors a defective heart valve.
When to get immediate medical attention
Seek medical attention right away if you have heart palpitations and a diagnosed heart problem. Also seek medical attention if you have palpitations that occur with other symptoms such as:
Dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness, fainting, loss of consciousness, confusion, difficulty breathing, excessive sweating, pain, pressure, or tightening in your chest, pain in your arms, neck, chest, jaw, or upper back, a resting pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute, shortness of breath.
These could be symptoms of a more serious condition.
Diagnosing the cause of heart palpitations
The cause of heart palpitations can be very difficult to diagnose, especially if the palpitations don’t occur while you’re in the doctor’s office or are not caught on the arrhythmia monitor you wear.
If necessary, your doctor may refer you to a heart specialist called a cardiologist. Tests to help rule out certain diseases or heart problems include:
blood test, urine test, stress test, a recording of the heart’s rhythm for 24 to 48 hours using a machine called a Holter monitor, ultrasound of the heart, or an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, electrophysiology study to check your heart’s electrical function, coronary angiography to check how blood flows through your heart.
Treatment for heart palpitations
Treatment depends on the cause of your palpitations. Your doctor will need to address any underlying medical conditions.
Preventing heart palpitations
If your doctor feels that treatment isn’t necessary, you can take these steps to decrease your chance of getting palpitations:
Try to identify your triggers so that you can avoid them. Keep a log of your activities, as well as the foods and beverages you eat, and note when you get palpitations.
If you’re anxious or stressed, try relaxation exercises, deep breathing, yoga, or tai chi.
Limit or stop your intake of caffeine. Avoid energy drinks.
Don’t smoke or use tobacco products.
If a medication is causing palpitations, ask your doctor if there are any alternatives.
Exercise regularly.
Stick to a healthy diet.
Minimize alcohol intake.
Try to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.
Natural ways to try:
Coenzyme Q-10:
Wenxin Keli
L-Carnitine
Hawthorn
Vit C
B-12
Vit D
Omega 3
Folic Acid
Potassium
Skullcap
Valerian
Calcium
Fenugreek
Turmeric
Ginger
Rosemary
Bilberry
Olive oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil
Green tea
Dark chocolate (or products with 70 percent or more cocoa)
Garlic
Magnesium orotate
Pote
Fish (not fried)
Nuts – choose a variety such as walnuts, sunflower seats, almonds, pecans
Fruits – choose a variety such blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, pineapple, or apples. Your plate should have a variety of colors, or it is not diversified enough.
Whole grain bread can add a benefit of lowering inflammation regardless of your current lifestyle and diet.
Reduce how much red meat you eat
Monitor your symptoms, when, time of day, resting or while activity. Occasionally or pretty regular like daily and seek medical help if other issues right away such as shortness of breath, dizziness, sweets, chest pain, tingling, numbness etc.
Some descriptions of the minerals/vitamins:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids help support a healthy-functioning heart. It can be difficult to get enough Omega-3 in your diet since our bodies don’t naturally produce these types of fatty acids. If you’re not getting enough Omega-3 in your diet alone,
Vitamin D
More and more studies are pointing to the fact that a Vitamin D deficiency can put one at risk. Vitamin D is actually produced by the body, more so when you are out in sunlight, and helps to regulate blood pressure. However, factors like getting less exposure to sunlight, obesity and age can lead to a deficiency.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in dark green vegetables, nuts and whole grains, among other foods. A deficiency of Magnesium has been linked by certain studies to higher blood pressure and an. To get your daily value of magnesium, explore supplement options, or focus on eating magnesium-rich foods like raw spinach, soybeans, avocados and even dark chocolate.
CoQ10
While technically an enzyme, CoQ10 works hand in hand with vitamins in the body, and more studies are showing it may be a helpful ingredient in. It can be found naturally in the highest concentration in most meats, as well as soybean products and certain nuts. The relatively low concentration of CoQ10 in commonly eaten foods, however, means that it may be necessary to take a supplement to get enough CoQ10.
Folic Acid
Folic Acid often referred to as Vitamin B9, is another one of the many possible vitamins for heart health. This vitamin helps to regulate the amount of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with a possible risk for blood clots, found in the bloodstream. Natural sources high in Vitamin B9 include broccoli, lentils, brussels sprouts and asparagus.
Potassium
Potassium has long been known to regulate blood pressure levels. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you reach the recommended daily value of potassium, which, according to the Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine, is 4,700 mg of potassium. While bananas are often said to be high in potassium, potatoes actually have about twice as much potassium in the typical serving. Potassium may also be obtained in supplement form.
Coenzyme Q-10:
Wenxin Keli
L-Carnitine
Hawthorn
Vit C
B-12
Vit D
Omega 3
Folic Acid
Potassium
Skullcap
Valerian
Calcium
Fenugreek
Turmeric
Ginger
Rosemary
Bilberry
Olive oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil
Green tea
Dark chocolate (or products with 70 percent or more cocoa)
Garlic
Magnesium orotate
Pote
Fish (not fried)
Nuts – choose a variety such as walnuts, sunflower seats, almonds, pecans
Fruits – choose a variety such blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, pineapple, or apples. Your plate should have a variety of colors, or it is not diversified enough.
Whole grain bread can add a benefit of lowering inflammation regardless of your current lifestyle and diet.
Reduce how much red meat you eat
Monitor your symptoms, when, time of day, resting or while activity. Occasionally or pretty regular like daily and seek medical help if other issues right away such as shortness of breath, dizziness, sweets, chest pain, tingling, numbness etc.
Some descriptions of the minerals/vitamins:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids help support a healthy-functioning heart. It can be difficult to get enough Omega-3 in your diet since our bodies don’t naturally produce these types of fatty acids. If you’re not getting enough Omega-3 in your diet alone,
Vitamin D
More and more studies are pointing to the fact that a Vitamin D deficiency can put one at risk. Vitamin D is actually produced by the body, more so when you are out in sunlight, and helps to regulate blood pressure. However, factors like getting less exposure to sunlight, obesity and age can lead to a deficiency.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in dark green vegetables, nuts and whole grains, among other foods. A deficiency of Magnesium has been linked by certain studies to higher blood pressure and an. To get your daily value of magnesium, explore supplement options, or focus on eating magnesium-rich foods like raw spinach, soybeans, avocados and even dark chocolate.
CoQ10
While technically an enzyme, CoQ10 works hand in hand with vitamins in the body, and more studies are showing it may be a helpful ingredient in. It can be found naturally in the highest concentration in most meats, as well as soybean products and certain nuts. The relatively low concentration of CoQ10 in commonly eaten foods, however, means that it may be necessary to take a supplement to get enough CoQ10.
Folic Acid
Folic Acid often referred to as Vitamin B9, is another one of the many possible vitamins for heart health. This vitamin helps to regulate the amount of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with a possible risk for blood clots, found in the bloodstream. Natural sources high in Vitamin B9 include broccoli, lentils, brussels sprouts and asparagus.
Potassium
Potassium has long been known to regulate blood pressure levels. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you reach the recommended daily value of potassium, which, according to the Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine, is 4,700 mg of potassium. While bananas are often said to be high in potassium, potatoes actually have about twice as much potassium in the typical serving. Potassium may also be obtained in supplement form.
Types of Arrhythmias
Supraventricular arrhythmias:
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial flutter
Atrial tachycardia
Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Ventricular arrhythmias:
Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular tachycardia
Premature ventricular beats (PVCs)
Torsades de pointes
Inherited arrhythmias:
Brugada syndrome
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
Long QT syndrome
Bradycardias:
Heart block
Sick sinus syndrome
Supraventricular arrhythmias:
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial flutter
Atrial tachycardia
Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Ventricular arrhythmias:
Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular tachycardia
Premature ventricular beats (PVCs)
Torsades de pointes
Inherited arrhythmias:
Brugada syndrome
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
Long QT syndrome
Bradycardias:
Heart block
Sick sinus syndrome