Occasional Heart Palpitations
Sep 06, 2019 Generally, heart palpitations aren't life threatening. Infrequent palpitations and palpitations only lasting a few seconds usually don't need further evaluation. However, there are instances where a dysrhythmia, or an abnormal heart beat, can be a cause for concern. Here are some ways to tell if the heart beat in your chest is normal, or not.
It seems as though almost everyone has heard a cautionary tale about heart health. An unrecognized symptom, an undetected heart condition, or pushing your heart to its maximum capacity during practice or time outdoors can all produce a dangerous, and sometimes fatal, result. Stories like these have prompted awareness about heart conditions and heart health, and have also helped to increase knowledge of which symptoms to keep an eye out for.
- Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes heart palpitations, confusion, dizziness and more.
- Heart palpitations are a condition in which a women feels that the heart has go heavy and weighty. Also women feel heaviness, fluttering and pain in the throat, heart, neck and such areas. Palpitations are considered as the extreme awareness and feeling of heartbeat.
- If you are concerned about your heart palpitations, see your doctor. A few simple tests can often rule out major heart issues. “Your doctor can tell a great deal by taking a good history of your symptoms, reviewing your medications, including over-the-counter medications, and examining your heart and vessels,” Dr.
Heart palpitations, the feeling of a rapid, fluttering, pounding, or otherwise irregular heartbeat, is one of those symptoms. When these occur during physical activity or on particularly warm days, it’s a cue to slow or stop what you’re doing. However, heart palpitations aren’t exclusive to situations like these. Anyone can be affected by that feeling of a fluttering heart, which is why understanding the causes and concerns associated with it can help you determine whether or not to worry.
“Heart palpitations can be alarming, because your heartbeat feels abnormal,” explains Richard R. McCurdy Jr., MD, Lankenau Heart Institute cardiologist at Riddle Hospital, part of Main Line Health. “Fortunately, most palpitations are not dangerous and often can be explained by external factors.”
These external factors can include exercise, emotions like stress or anxiety, or increased amounts of nicotine or caffeine. Certain medications can also trigger heart palpitations, including inhalers for asthma and over the counter cold treatments, so talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of your medications if you’re concerned.
Typically, when heart palpitations are caused by factors like these, it will feel as though your heart is pumping faster or harder than usual or you will notice skipped or fluttering heartbeats. These symptoms are usually felt in your chest, but can also be felt in the throat or neck, so don’t be alarmed if you notice symptoms in these places, as well.
Is Occasional Heart Palpitations Normal
However, if these palpitations last longer than a few seconds, or are associated with other symptoms, there may be some underlying medical concerns. If your palpitations are accompanied by dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, or chest pain, you should seek medical attention.
“Palpitations can be caused by a wide range of abnormal heart rhythms. Some of these are actually relatively common and not dangerous at all. These palpitations will be very short, no more than a couple seconds, and not accompanied by any other symptoms. However, when palpitations last a few minutes or more, or are combined with other symptoms, that’s when it has the potential to be a bigger issue. It could mean that you are at risk for complications like heart failure or cardiac arrest,” says Dr. McCurdy.
Although results like these are rare, it’s important to understand the warning signs for serious cardiac issues like these. Reduce your risk for any heart problems by leading a healthy lifestyle. Quit smoking, eat a balanced diet and aim to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes five days per week.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice offered by your physician. If you notice repeated episodes of heart palpitations or have questions, make an appointment with your doctor, who can help you know for sure whether or not you should be concerned. Visit our website for a full list of Lankenau Heart Institute cardiologists in your area.
Heart flutters and thumps can be scary, but they’re usually nothing to worry about. Here’s what you need to know.
Have you ever experienced a racing heart rate, irregular pulse or the sense that your heart skipped a beat and wondered if it’s serious?
“It’s one of the most common concerns that patients have,” Toni Brayer, M.D., an internal medicine doctor at Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, says. “Patients often become aware of their heart beat and wonder if it’s normal. During menopause, for example, women may feel more random, irregular heartbeats, or the sensation of the heart skipping a beat. Other times a racing heart can just come out of nowhere.”
Occasional Heart Arrhythmia
If you are worried, the first thing to do is sit down, relax and then take your pulse, Dr. Brayer recommends. “Count the beats of your heart for 15 seconds and multiply by four to get your heart rate. If it’s under 100 beats per minute, and you are feeling OK, you are probably not experiencing a serious rhythm disturbance.”
In contrast, if your resting pulse suddenly rises to 100 beats per minute or more, that can be a sign of tachycardia – a more serious disturbance in the rhythm of the heart. You should also be concerned if you are feeling irregular beats or a racing heart and also feel light-headed, dizzy or otherwise “wrong.”
Take a few minutes to get familiar with heart attack symptoms. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away or head to the emergency room, Dr. Brayer says.
What Causes Heart Fluctuations?
Irregular beats can be caused by medications, fluctuations in hormone levels, and stress – without evidence of any underlying heart disease. Exercise can also raise your heart rate as a normal response (while strengthening your heart muscle, as well as all your muscles).
When to See Your Doctor
If you are concerned about your heart palpitations, see your doctor. A few simple tests can often rule out major heart issues. “Your doctor can tell a great deal by taking a good history of your symptoms, reviewing your medications, including over-the-counter medications, and examining your heart and vessels,” Dr. Brayer says.
Your doctor might also suggest that you wear a Holter monitor or other event monitor for 24 to 72 hours. These devices record the electrical activity of the heart, while the wearer keeps a journal of any unusual heart rhythms. This information will help your doctor see if you are experiencing any serious irregularities or just a case of harmless flutters.
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