Heart palpitations are a sensation of an abnormally fast, thumping, or irregular heartbeat. They can cause lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and a feeling of being out of control.
Most heart palpitations are harmless and don’t require treatment. However, in some cases, they may be a sign of a more serious problem, such as heart disease. If you experience heart palpitations often, or they’re accompanied by other symptoms, you should see one of our expert Cardiologists at Cardiac and Vascular Consultants in Florida.
What are the symptoms?
If you’ve experienced a sudden, irregular heartbeat, you may have had a heart palpitation. They can feel like your heart:
- Skipped a beat
- Is pounding
- seems to be beating too fast
- Is flip-flopping
It’s important to know that you might experience these symptoms both while at rest or while active.
Is a heart palpitation dangerous?
Heart palpitation is a condition that can be dangerous if left untreated. Many people suffer from the condition and wonder if they are dangerous. The truth is, heart palpitations can be a symptom of many different things, some of which are very serious. It is important to understand the cause of it to determine the best course of treatment.
Some of the most common causes of heart palpitations are anxiety, stress, caffeine, and alcohol. It is best to avoid these triggers as much as possible. Other causes of heart palpitations include smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
When to worry about palpitations
Palpitations are an awareness of the heartbeat. They can be felt as a thumping, fluttering, or racing sensation in the chest. Most people will experience palpitations at some time in their life. They are usually not a sign of a serious problem. However, there are some circumstances when you should see a doctor.
If you have palpitations that occur frequently, are very strong, or are accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain, you should see a doctor right away. These symptoms could be a sign of a more serious problem such as arrhythmia, hyperthyroidism and other heart diseases.
Treating heart palpitations
Because heart palpitations can be caused by so many different things, the first step is to determine what’s causing the skipped beats or fluttering heart. You might need to reduce your stimulant (e.g., caffeine) intake or have your thyroid evaluated.
For heart palpitations caused by a heart problem, we can help you get the cardiac care you need. For example, an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) may be used to evaluate your heart. Whether you need a pacemaker to treat arrhythmia or another treatment, rest assured that your heart is our number one priority.
