Heart Palpitations
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OVERVIEW
What are heart palpitations?
Heartbeats that are hard and fast are called palpitations (say: pal-pit-ay-shuns). It is normal to hear or feel your heart “pounding” as it beats faster when you exercise or do other physical activities. But if you have palpitations, you might feel your heart pounding while you are just sitting still or moving slowly.
CAUSES & RISK FACTORS
What causes heart palpitations?
Many things can cause palpitations. Some causes of heart palpitations include the following:
- Heart-related causes. People who have an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia may have palpitations. (Arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of your heartbeat.) Most of the time, palpitations and irregular heartbeats are harmless. However, sometimes the break in your heart’s normal rhythm can be a serious problem. You also may have palpitations if you have problems with the valves in your heart. Valves help move blood through the heart.
- Non-heart-related causes. Certain medicines, herbal supplements and illegal street drugs can make your heart beat faster. Medicines that can cause palpitations include asthma inhalers and decongestants. Caffeine (found in coffee, tea and soda), alcohol and tobacco can also cause palpitations. People who have panic disorder feel their heart pounding when they are fearful of something or having a panic attack. Some medical conditions, such as thyroid disease and anemia, also can cause palpitations.
Sometimes the cause of palpitations cannot be found. This happens in about 1 of every 7 people who have palpitations. Palpitations in these people usually are not harmful.
DIAGNOSIS & TESTS
How will my healthcare provider find out what is causing my palpitations?
Your healthcare provider will examine you and ask you about any medicines you are taking, your diet and if you have panic attacks. Your healthcare provider may want you to have an electrocardiogram test. This test checks how your heart is functioning by measuring the electrical activity of the heart. Your healthcare provider also may test your blood.
If these tests do not show what is causing your palpitations, your healthcare provider may have you wear a heart monitor for 1 to 14 days. This monitor will show any breaks in your heart’s rhythm. Your healthcare provider might refer you to a cardiologist (a heart healthcare provider) for more tests or treatment.
PREVENTION
What can I do to help prevent palpitations?
- Do not use illegal street drugs, such as cocaine.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.
- Tell your healthcare provider what medicines and herbal supplements you take, how much alcohol you drink, and if you use anything else that might cause palpitations.
- Keep track of your palpitations. Write down the time that they happen and what you were doing when they began. Give this information to your healthcare provider.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
- What is the likely cause of my heart palpitations?
- Will I need to wear a heart monitor? For how long?
- Would it be helpful if I kept track of my palpitations? Do I need to track anything else, such as what I ate or my physical activity?
- Do my heart palpitations indicate a more serious problem?
- What are some symptoms that would indicate my condition is getting worse?
- Will I need to change my lifestyle, such as diet and exercise habits?
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Nova Scotia Toll free 1-800-423-4432
Prince Edward Island: (902) 892-7441
Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation Website at:
http://www.heartandstroke.ca/
Sources
Diagnostic Approach to Palpitations by AV Abbott, MD (02/15/05, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050215/743.html)
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