Palpitations - An Overview

What Are Palpitations?

An irregular heartbeat, also known as a palpitation, is a form of arrhythmia, which refers to an aberrant cardiac rhythm. Palpitations can occur when a normal pulse is skipped, added, or otherwise disrupted. It takes place when an electrical impulse fires at the wrong spot and at the wrong moment, leading the circulatory system to beat in an abnormal rhythm, and it can be fatal. Palpitations are a subjective symptom that is typically described as a missed beat, quick fluttering within the chest, a hammering sensation in the heart or the neck, or a feeling of flipping in the chest area. Palpitations can be caused by several different conditions. Heart palpitations are a generic symptom that can also be used to diagnose a medical condition. Even though the origin of palpitations is typically something harmless, the sensations themselves can be an indicator of a condition that poses a significant risk to an individual's life.

What Are the Causes of the Condition?

Among the many causes of cardiac palpitations are, but are not limited to, the following:

• Anxiety, dread, stress, and panic are all emotions.

• Exercise.

• Pregnancy.

• Caffeine.

• Thyroid hyperfunction.

• Lack of glycogen, potassium, and oxygen.

• Blood with low levels of carbon dioxide.

• Fever.

• Anemia.

• Dehydration.

• Blood loss.

• Medications include asthma inhalation devices, beta-blockers for either elevated blood pressure or cardiac conditions, thyroid medications, and antiarrhythmic drugs.

• Certain cough and cold medications, including decongestants.

• A few herbal and dietary supplements.

• Cocaine and Amphetamines (speed) are used for recreational purposes.

• Nicotine.

• Alcohol.

What Are the Symptoms?

Heart arrhythmias may cause the following sensations:

• Racing.

• Pounding.

• Without a pulse.

• Having an additional pulse.

• Flip-flopping.

• Fluttering.

• Additionally, it may experience heart palpitations in the neck or throat.

In the case for any of the subsequent occurrences, most frequently, palpitations are brought on by abnormal cardiac rhythm:

• Cardiac disease.

• Significant cardiovascular disease risk factors.

• An irregular cardiac valve.

What Is the Diagnostic Method?

The following are some of the initial studies that may be performed for heart palpitations:

Blood tests of the patient's blood are performed to check for anemia and a hyperactive thyroid gland.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) - Electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical impulses of the heart to assess whether the heart rate is at a regular or normal rate. In addition to this, it looks for any past or underlying cardiac problems.

• Ambulatory Electrocardiogram - This type of ECG records the heart for over 24 or 48 hours during typical daily activities. Doctors are going to be requested to keep track of the times they experience palpitations in a journal. After that, the reading will display what was going on with the heart throughout the time that one was experiencing palpitations.

• Echocardiogram - An ultrasound of the heart, often known as an echocardiogram or just an echo, may be required in certain circumstances. In some instances, it may be necessary to have a checkup on the heart while engaging in exercise.

• Electrophysiology -There is also the possibility of using electrophysiology examinations. Electrodes, which are very thin wires, are threaded into one of the veins and then guided to the heart. These cables are used for measuring the electrical signals in the cardiovascular system and can identify the source of any aberrant electrical signals.

All of these tests are being done to verify that there are no issues with the heart that is causing cardiac palpitations. However, in many instances, the cause of palpitations is not because of a concern with the patient's heart.

What Is the Treatment Method?

The treatment received will be determined by the underlying cause of the palpitations. The doctor who treats the patient will need to resolve any underlying medical conditions that present.

In some cases, medical professionals are unable to determine the root of the problem.Typically, therapy is not required for heart palpitations unless the physician determines that they are caused by another condition that is present. Unless there is a clear medical justification for palpitations, one may be able to alleviate some of the symptoms by doing the following:

• Anxious Feelings and Stress - Dealing with anxious feelings and managing stress. If heart palpitations are caused by stress or anxiety, incorporating relaxation techniques into everyday life may help minimize their severity. There are many alternatives, but some of the more common ones are as follows:

  • The practice of deep breathing.

  • Yoga.

  • Tai Chi meditation.

  • Biofeedback.

• Avoiding Stimulants - To the greatest extent feasible, refrain from or limit the use of caffeine. Boosters like cocaine and ecstasy, which are both illegal narcotics, have been linked to causing heart palpitations in some users. Inquire with the attending physician as to whether or not any of the prescribed medications contain stimulants, as these can sometimes cause irregular heart rhythms.

• Healthy Diet - Maintaining a diet that is good for the patient. Having low glucose levels in the blood can make one more susceptible to experiencing heart palpitations. Complex carbohydrates, as opposed to simple sugars and other simple forms of carbs, can be used to assist in the maintenance of stable blood sugar levels. Instead of consuming sugary sodas, baked goods, and fruit juice concentrates, one may try swapping them out for whole grain products and fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Medical Treatment - Modifying an individual's medical treatment. If one feels that the medications taken could be triggering the palpitations being experienced, talk to a doctor about other treatment options. B-blockers, or calcium channel blockers, are the medications that should be tried first in the treatment of symptomatic or frequent PVCs.

• Habits -Quitting smoking in a smoking sequence There is evidence to suggest that smokers have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, which is the most common type of arrhythmia (a disorder where the heart beats irregularly or with an aberrant rhythm).

Patients who do not respond to medical care or who acquire left ventricular dysfunction must have catheter ablation of the PVCs performed on them. The majority of individuals who undergo catheter ablation experience a complete recovery from PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

A frequent symptom seen in primary care clinics is palpitation. While the majority of diseases are benign, a comprehensive history, examination, and knowledge of serious illnesses can help prevent unnecessary referrals. It is also crucial to use limited resources wisely and do an ECG to rule out significant conditions. Understanding the reasons and warning signs can make it easier to evaluate a patient who presents with palpitations. Patients who come with life-threatening diseases to primary care clinics require quick referral to a more advanced form of care as well as immediate treatment and supervision to stabilize their condition.

It would be advantageous if the Holter monitor, a portable ECG recording device, was made available in basic healthcare institutions, as it is a useful tool for determining the reasons for sporadic palpitations and underlying arrhythmias. The detection of the psychiatric etiology of palpitations should be a component of the assessment because anxiety disorders are a very common cause of palpitations in the present medical era.