We are not telling you anything new when we say that the heart is one of the most important organs in the human body.
It is a vital organ.
The heart is a muscle that pumps blood to all parts of your body.
It is the blood that supplies the other parts of the body with the oxygen and nutrients necessary for its survival.
The beat you can hear is the sound of the heart pumping blood throughout your body. This beat is controlled by the heart's electrical system.
Explore the key differences between heart palpitations and arrhythmias. Understand how your heart's electrical system functions and what happens when it doesn't.
There are many possible causes including, but not limited to, coronary artery disease, medications, chemicals in the blood, or unknown factors.
When the electrical system malfunctions and causes abnormal heart rhythms, we refer to these as "arrhythmias", which are not to be confused with heart palpitations caused by other factors. How to tell if it's a simple heart palpitation or cardiac arrhythmia?
What is cardiac arrhythmia?
Cardiac arrhythmia is a condition that is characterized by irregularities in the normal heart rhythm.
It can be manifested by beats that are too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia) or chaotic (atrial fibrillation).
Symptoms can vary from person to person, ranging from mild palpitations to dizziness, chest pain or fainting.
Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to effectively manage this heart condition.
Causes of arrhythmia
The causes of cardiac arrhythmia can be diverse.
They include electrical problems in the heart, structural heart problems, chemical imbalances, pre-existing heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, smoking, excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption, stress and certain medications.
A thorough medical evaluation is necessary to determine the specific cause of the arrhythmia and to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
What are heart palpitations?
The heart palpitations are an abnormal, perceptible sensation of the heartbeat.
They can be experienced as fast, loud, irregular or jumping beats.
Although often harmless, palpitations can sometimes be a sign of an underlying heart problem. It is therefore important to consult a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment if necessary.
Causes of palpitations
Heart palpitations can be caused by a variety of factors.
Common causes include stress, anxiety, excessive use of caffeine, alcohol or tobacco, stimulant medications, strenuous physical activity, electrolyte imbalances, anemia, thyroid disorders, heart conditions such as arrhythmia or valve defects.
A medical evaluation is necessary to determine the precise cause of the palpitations and provide appropriate treatment if needed.
What is the difference?
Heart palpitations are when your heart feels like it is skipping a beat or beating too fast. There are many reasons for heart palpitations, including
- Intense physical activity;
- Ingestion of caffeine, alcohol or drugs;
- Strong emotions;
- Etc.
These factors may cause your heart to beat faster than usual, but it does not necessarily mean that the heart is not working properly.
On the other hand, we talk about cardiac arrhythmia when the rhythm of your heart is too fast, too slow or irregular.
Arrhythmia is caused by a problem or problems with the electrical system of your heart. Sometimes the signals will be too fast or too slow, causing the arrhythmia.
Similar to palpitations, you may feel your heart skip a beat or flutter. However, unlike palpitations, arrhythmia can be caused by serious health problems.
Are any of these problems more serious?
When it comes to heart problems such as arrhythmia and palpitations, the severity depends on the underlying cause and how it affects the patient's overall health.
Some cardiac arrhythmias may be mild and only require regular monitoring, while others may be more serious and require medical treatment or surgery.
Similarly, palpitations can be the result of temporary factors that are not cause for concern, but in some cases they can be a sign of a more serious heart problem.
Why visit our cardiovascular evaluation center?
It is very difficult to distinguish between the two concepts mentioned above.
It is important to consult your doctor for a professional opinion.
At Laval Cardiovascular Evaluation CenterWe have the necessary resources to evaluate your situation quickly and at affordable rates in St-Jérôme and Vaudreuil-Dorion. Some services are covered by the RAMQ.
