Heart Palpitations: When Is It a Warning Sign?

Understanding Heart Palpitations

Most people understand heart palpitations as a sudden change in the regular heartbeat rate. The benign ones include a rapid or irregular heartbeat felt in the throat, chest, or neck. If such sensations are followed by unbearable chest pain, dizziness, sweating, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, it could indicate serious conditions needing immediate medical assistance.

Sometimes, heart palpitations can occur post-active workouts or even while lying down. The frequent occurrence of the symptoms may require medical evaluation.

What Causes Heart Palpitations?

It is essential to understand the signs and causes of heart palpitations to differentiate harmless triggers and serious onsets.

Common Causes of Heart Palpitations:

• Stress, fear, anxiety, and excitement.

• Intense workouts, caffeine, or nicotine.

• Hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, or thyroid.

• Drug overdose, asthma inhalers, or other medications.

Severe Medical Causes:

• Thyroid conditions: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

• Blood deficiency (anaemia), or lack of RBCs.

• Low levels of blood glucose (hypoglycaemia).

• Low electrolyte levels can interfere with heart signals.

Along with the common causes, there are some other lifestyle causes like stress, caffeine intake, intense workouts, or certain foods. Consult a cardiologist in case the signs become frequent or prolonged.

Signs of Heart Palpitations You Should Watch For

Mild palpitations are harmless and subside with time, whereas some symptoms indicate a serious condition. Seek immediate medical assistance if palpitations are associated with:

• Shortness of breath.

• Chest pain or intense pressure.

• Lightheadedness or fatigue.

• Repeated palpitations that last a long time.

Prompt evaluation can lead to treatments that reduce the risk of larger conditions.

Preparing Your Body

Generally, heart palpitations are harmless and subside with time, whereas some symptoms need urgent medical attention. 

Immediate actions to help manage palpitations:

• Sit upright or lie down to prevent injury.

• Take deep breaths to relax your body.

• Slowly drink a glass of water to hydrate your body.

• Try the ‘Valsalva manoeuvre’ with the doctor’s advice (this method involves taking a deep breath, closing your mouth and pinching your nose, and then pushing down the breath with force, holding the breath for about 10-15 seconds, and then breathing out through the mouth)

• Splash fresh, clean water on your face to stimulate the nerves.

Understanding the signs and taking adequate measures to address them leads to healthy cardiac health.

Common Tests and Heart Palpitations Treatment

Recognising the early warning signs of a medical emergency can make a life-saving difference. Heart palpitation diagnosis includes physical examinations, ECGs, echocardiograms, and multiple blood tests.

Sleep Study (OSA)

Heart Palpitations Treatment Plans:

Being a less serious condition, heart palpitations treatment includes lifestyle changes and management of stress. Underlying conditions may require medications or medical procedures.

Lifestyle changes:

• Managing stress, including deep breathing, yoga, and medications.

• Hydrating the body with water and other healthy drinks.

• Including healthy fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy diet.

• Splashing cold water or coughing forcefully to reset the heart rhythm.

These changes can help restore heart rate and improve heart health. Your cardiologist may suggest some medical treatments based on the causes of the palpitations. Procedures like pacemaker or ICD implantations and antiarrhythmic drugs help regulate blood flow and alleviate the signs.

Risk Factors That Stimulate Heart Palpitations

Major risk factors include:

• Unmanageable stress.

• Hypertension and Diabetes.

• Hormonal changes.

• Low electrolyte levels.

• Caffeine and nicotine.

• Low blood sugar levels.

• Certain medications, like inhalers and decongestants.

• Thyroid or arrhythmias.

Controlling these factors reduces the risk of underlying heart conditions. Regular health checks and discussions with your clinician are essential.

What Happens at the Hospital: Assessment and Treatment

When emergency services arrive or you reach a hospital, the primary objective is to find the root cause and rule out life-threatening conditions through immediate actions. Standard steps include:

• Assessment of vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation rates.

• The team will check the detailed medical history and associated symptoms.

• Blood tests and an ECG to look for heart rhythm.

• Chest X-ray to look into the functioning of the heart and lungs.

• If the palpitations are not captured on the initial ECG, the patient will be provided with a portable Holter monitor.

Early hospital care aims to stabilise the patient, regulate blood flow, and plan recovery. Access to a dedicated cardiologist and an experienced team improves outcomes.

How to Stop Heart Palpitations

You can lower the chance of intermittent palpitations by addressing controllable factors. Practical steps:

• Restrict intake of caffeine and nicotine.

• Manage stress with yoga and relaxation techniques.

• Maintain sleep patterns and stay hydrated.

• Maintain a healthy diet and include mild physical activities.

Prevention often involves small daily lifestyle changes that add up to significant protection.

How to Prepare for a Clinical Visit

Gathering a few items before your appointment speeds diagnosis:

• A symptom diary noting when the irregularities occur and what eases them.

• Notes on any stimulants that trigger the palpitations.

• List of current medicines and any past surgeries or family medical history.

• Your queries are related to heart palpitations treatment in Vijayawada.

A well-prepared visit focuses time on diagnosis and the most effective upcoming steps.

Conclusion

The irregular heartbeats are often harmless and can be reduced with bare minimal steps. In case such heart palpitation symptoms persist longer or become uncontrollable, consider them warning signs and seek medical assistance. Understanding the causes and triggering elements can prevent serious medical conditions.

Consult the cardiology specialists at Manipal Hospitals Vijayawada for advanced cardiac care. Our team of experts offers comprehensive diagnosis and personalised treatment plans along with 24/7 emergency care to keep your heart safe and steady.