Alcohol can trigger arrhythmias in many people. If your palpitations are caused by lifestyle choices, you may need to make some changes. If your doctor thinks your medications may be contributing to your palpitations, they may prescribe new medications. Some arrhythmias - especially ventricular tachycardia - can be life-threatening, and may warrant an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD). Some arrhythmias can also be treated with catheter ablations, but these are usually considered only after medications have failed. If your palpitations are from certain arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation, the doctor may prescribe anti-arrhythmic drugs or drugs to reduce your heart rate. Treatment for palpitations depends on their cause. Your doctor may prescribe use of a device like a Holter monitor, event monitor, or loop recorder, to help differentiate between a harmless arrhythmia and one that requires treatment. Over time, hopefully, you will learn more about which palpitations deserve close attention. There is no simple rule telling you which palpitations to worry about, but talk with your doctor. It can also become a source of anxiety if you tend to worry about every palpitation. This can be useful if it leads you to record your heart rhythm and talk with your doctor. HCM patients sometimes become acutely aware of the sensations of palpitations. So are shortness of breath and a resting pulse of over 100 bpm. Chest discomfort or pain in your arms, neck, jaw, or upper back are also reasons to seek medical attention. Seek immediate medical attention if you are also experiencing weakness, lightheadedness, or confusion. All of this can provide essential information to your doctor. Keep a daily log about when you get palpitations, what you are doing at the time, and what you have been consuming. Try to record them with a home heart monitor. If you have palpitations that are new, talk with your cardiologist. The extra work performed by the heart in HCM often causes the left atrium to become enlarged, and this makes atrial fibrillation more likely. HCM tends to lead to scarring (fibrosis) of the heart muscle, a major cause of arrhythmias. Hypertrophy of the heart wall can also make arrhythmias more likely. That disarray makes arrhythmias more likely. HCM affects the structure of the heart directly, by causing disarray in the heart muscle cells. It is not surprising that everyone experiences some palpitations at times! So can anemia or anything that causes low blood oxygen levels. Dehydration, changes in your hormones, and low blood sugar can play a role. Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep can also cause arrhythmias. Some of the things that can cause arrhythmias besides heart diseases include strenuous exercise and excess caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, or other drugs (including prescription, over-the-counter, and recreational drugs). That sounds alarming, but not all arrhythmias are dangerous. If this is the case, you should talk with your cardiologist sooner, not later! What causes palpitations?īy definition, palpitations mean that you are experiencing some arrhythmias. Sometimes palpitations are accompanied by other symptoms, like sweating, light-headedness, nausea, shortness of breath, or even fainting. If you are experiencing unusually fast heartbeats, you will probably notice them - it can be a strange and alarming sensation. It may feel as though your heart skips a beat, and it may do this repeatedly. Some people describe their palpitations as feeling like the heart "flip-flops" or "hiccups." You may feel the palpitations in your throat or neck. You may feel pounding, or an irregular beat. What does it feel like to have palpitations?Īny irregular or unusually fast heart rhythm may be noticeable to you.
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