Heart Palpitations are the feeling of sudden racing, skipping a beat, or fluttering in the chest. It refers to any regular and noticeably strong heartbeat that can happen unexpectedly. While these sensations can be worrisome for some people, not all heart palpitations mean that there is something serious going on. Under such circumstances, it is extremely important to understand why the specifications are normal and when they can signal a deeper issue. In this article, we will discuss in detail heart palpitations and when to worry about them.
What are heart palpitations?
Heart palpitations refer to the feeling of pounding, fluttering, and beating irregularly of the heart. People might notice this feeling in their chest, throat, or neck, which can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and might also occur while resting, exercising, or even during times when people are stressed. For many people, palpitations are generally harmless and keep occurring over time. In other cases, they might indicate an underlying heart rhythm problem or cardiovascular condition.
What are the common causes of heart palpitations?
As per Heart specialist in Mohali, some common causes of heart palpitations may include:
- Stress: Emotional distress, excitement, or panic attacks can increase adrenaline levels, causing the heart to race.
- Caffeine and Energy Drinks: Having too much caffeine through coffee, tea, or energy drinks can overstimulate the heart.
- Medications: Some cold medications, asthma inhalers, or thyroid drugs can also increase heart rate.
- Hormonal Changes: Palpitations are extremely common during times of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause.
- Dehydration: Low potassium and magnesium can disturb the rhythm of the heart and cause heart palpitations. These occur due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
- Exercise: While doing some physical activity, a temporary increase in the heart rate is normal, but it should subside after the exercise is stopped.
However, in most of these cases, palpitations are temporary and do not pose any threat, especially when they occur without any other symptoms.
When should one worry about heart palpitations?
As per the Best cardiologist in Mohali, while many heart palpitations do not pose any significant threat, some of them can be a sign of serious issues like arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, and structural heart disease. A person should make sure to seek medical attention if palpitations are accompanied by chest pain and shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting, fatigue, and confusion. These symptoms might indicate that the heart is not pumping the blood effectively.
While heart palpitations can be alarming, in most cases, they are harmless and temporary. More often than not, they reflect the body’s natural response to stress hormones and stimulants. However, it is extremely important to get it checked by a cardiologist if they occur frequently and are accompanied by other symptoms that trouble the person. To determine the cause in such conditions, the cardiologist would recommend tests like an Electrocardiogram, a Holter monitor, an Echocardiogram, or a stress test. If some underlying condition is found, the treatment may involve medication, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, procedures like catheter ablation.
If you are looking for the Best cardiac surgery hospital in Chandigarh or the Best cardiologist in Chandigarh, Sohana Hospital might be the right option for you. Sohana Hospital Mohali hosts the world’s most advanced technology and North India’s most trusted and experienced heart specialists who provide the most comprehensive heart care for the patients in the region. Book your appointment today!