subject: Let Us Know About The Symptoms, Types And Causes Of Heart Palpitations [print this page] A rising number of Americans are being detected with some form of coronary disease every year. Factors such as stress, diet and lack of exercise are the biggest risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease. However, a little proactive approach and regular visits to the cardiac specialist could be a lifesaver. Those suffering from heart conditions may complain about Palpitations. These are generally unpleasant and characterized by irregular beating of the heart. Heart palpitations symptoms are quite infrequent and do not last longer than few seconds.
What are the types of Heart Palpitations?
Cardiac palpitations are also referred to as arrhythmias. It is either too slow or too fast and irregular in nature and gives an unpleasant feeling to the patient.
Very rapid arrhythmias- In this case, the patient's heart beats greater than 100 times in a minute and it is referred to as tachycardia.
Slow arrhythmias- In this case, the heartbeats less than 60 times in a minute and it is referred to as bradycardia.
Fibrillations- The rhythms that are irregular in nature are known as fibrillations.
Premature contraction- In this case, the heart beats earlier than a normal heartbeat. This results in the feeling of forceful heartbeat.
What are the Symptoms and the Causes?
There could be innumerable reasons for an irregular heartbeat such as atrial abnormalities, ventricular abnormalities and irregularities in the electrical conducting systems in which the SA and AV nodes can cause arrhythmias. This results in irregularities in the heart rhythm thereby offering unpleasant feeling to the patients.
There are numerous symptoms, which indicate a patient to seek a doctor. These symptoms have been described as follows -
Missing heart beats
Fluttering heart beats
Quick or fast heart beats
Forceful heart beats in which the heart may pump quicker than normal
Palpitations may be occasional which can last for few seconds only and generally do not require seeking a doctor. The patients who have a history related to heart disease or have symptoms such as fainting,
lightheadedness or frequent palpitations can consult a cardiologist who may suggest some tests to evaluate whether the heart palpitations are due to a severe problem.
What are the reasons that contribute to heart palpitations?
The exact causes of palpitations are not known but doctors attribute them to a variety of reasons that may include -
Stress and anxiety
Regular intake of caffeine
Pursuing vigorous exercise
Intake of nicotine
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation and menopause
Taking medications laden with pseudoephedrine, which is a stimulant of heartbeat
Consumption of asthma medications that are often loaded with stimulants
