HEART PALPITATIONS
When heartbeats become more noticeable, it is a condition called heart palpitation. It might feel as if the heart is pounding, beating irregularly, or fluttering for maybe a few minutes or seconds. The same sensations may be felt in the throat or neck. Missed heartbeats or an extra beat is called an Ectopic beat which should not be a matter of concern.
Causes of Heart Palpitations:
1. Lifestyle Triggers:
Strenuous exercise, inadequate sleep, consumption of caffeine like tea, coffee, or other energy drinks, alcohol, smoking, rich or spicy food, and also illegal drugs like cocaine, heroin, cannabis, ecstasy, etc.
2. Emotional or psychological triggers:
Anxiety or stress, nervousness or excitement, an overwhelming sense of anxiety or fear followed by sweat, a feeling of sickness, trembling or palpitations. Breathing exercises help to deal with panic attacks.
3. Medicines:
a. Ipratropium bromide or salbutamol which are asthma inhalers.
b. Hydralazine and minoxidil – Hypertension or High Blood Pressure medicines.
c. Terfenadine containing antihistamines.
d. Clarithromycin and erythromycin – antibiotics.
e. Citalopram and escitalopram – antidepressants.
f. Itraconazole an antifungal medication.
4. Hormonal Changes:
These happen especially during pregnancy, menopause and periods.
5. Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia):
a. Atrial fibrillation: The heart beats irregularly and faster than normal.
b. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): Abnormally faster heart rate.
c. Ventricular Tachycardia: The heartbeat is typically faster than regular heartbeats. Dizziness or blackouts are associated with it.
6. Heart conditions:
a. Mitral Valve Prolapse which is a problem with the heart valve.
b. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: The heart muscles and the walls of the heart are enlarged and thickened.
c. Heart failure: Pumping of blood around the body becomes difficult for the heart.
d. Congenital heart disease: The heart is defective since birth which affects the normal working of the heart.
7. Other medical conditions:
a. Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism): The thyroid gland produces a lot of thyroid hormones.
b. Low Blood Sugar Levels (Hypoglycaemia): Associated with diabetes.
c. Anaemia which affects Red Blood Cells.
d. Postural / Orthostatic Hypotension: When standing up, dizziness or low blood pressure is triggered.
e. High Temperature
f. Dehydration.