PALPITATIONS

What Causes Heart Palpitations?

Certain medications, nicotine, caffeine, fever, infections, dehydration, pregnancy. Palpitations may also be caused by a more serious condition that requires medical care. For instance, you may experience them if you have:​

• Arrhythmia

• Heart disease

• Heart valve disease

• Thyroid disease

• Abnormal oxygen levels in your blood

Other Heart Conditions

• Angina

• Arrhythmia

• Atrial Fibrillation

• Cardiac Arrest

• Cardiogenic Shock

• Cardiomyopathy

• Chronic Total Occlusion

• Congenital Heart Disease

• Coronary Artery Disease

• Dyspnea (Shortness of Breath)

• Endocarditis

• Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

• Heart Failure

• High Cholesterol

• Hypertension

• Heart Murmur

• Palpitations

• Pericarditis

• Pulmonary Hypertension

• Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

• Syncope (Fainting)

• Valvular Heart Disease

What are the Symptoms of Palpitations?

Dizziness, difficulty breathing, sweating, chest pain are some of the symptoms of palpitations.

How are Heart Palpitations Diagnosed?

The following tests may be required:​

• Holter Monitor

• Event Monitor

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)

• Stress testing

• Echocardiogram

How are Heart Palpitations Treated?

Most heart palpitations will go away on their own. Reducing stress and anxiety is important, reducing stimulants such as caffeine/nicotine/cold medicine/decongestants. In more serious cases medications may be needed to prevent recurrence and as a final resort cardiac ablation procedures may be needed to deal with more difficult heart rhythm abnormalities.