Heart palpitations: Causes, treatment and advice from Cardio Laval 💔
The sensation of drumming, racing or jumping in your chest, as if your heart were racing at an unusual rate, is what is commonly known as heart palpitations.
Bringing their share of fears and uncertainties, they are often benign, but can sometimes be the harbinger of more serious conditions.
Understanding heart palpitations, their causes and symptoms, enables people to live with a healthy, protected heart, preventing potentially serious complications.
At Centre Cardio Laval, we believe in a proactive approach to heart health and in patient education as a means of preventing cardiovascular disease.
What are heart palpitations? 🔍
Heart palpitations are the perception of an abnormal heart rhythm.
They may manifest themselves as strong, rapid or irregular beats that can be felt in the chest, throat or neck.
But what triggers that turbulence in your chest?
In reality, the heart is a precision machine that works 24/7 to send blood to every corner of your body.
Working like a pump, it beats an average of 70 times a minute, or more than 100,000 times a day.
However, there are times when it breaks out of its regular rhythm.
Heart palpitations are the manifestation of this heart rhythm disorder.
It's important to point out that the perception of palpitations can vary greatly from one person to another.
Some describe them as a beating or fluttering of the heart, while others may experience them as a sudden acceleration or deceleration of the heartbeat.
What's more, their duration and frequency may also differ.
Some people may experience a few palpitations a day, while others may suffer them for hours on end.
The different types of palpitations 📑
Palpitations fall into two broad categories: occasional and regular.
Occasional palpitations are generally harmless.
They are often felt in stressful situations, after consuming caffeine or alcohol, or following intense physical training.
They are temporarily uncomfortable and unrelated to cardiovascular disease.
Normally, they disappear on their own without medical intervention.
Regular palpitations are less common, but may indicate a more serious medical condition.
For example, they can be a sign of a heart rhythm disorder, also known as arrhythmia, where the heart beats too fast, too slow or irregularly.
Palpitations can also result from heart disease, thyroid abnormalities, certain medications and psychological problems such as stress and anxiety.
If you experience regular palpitations, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional.
When to consult ❓
Although palpitations are generally benign and disappear on their own, they can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition.
So it's vital to seek help if your palpitations are persistent, if they're accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting or dizziness, or if there's a family history of heart problems.
If you consult your doctor about palpitations, he or she will probably ask you a series of questions to understand the nature of your palpitations, and may decide to carry out some diagnostic tests.
In particular, he will try to determine whether your palpitations are a sign of cardiac arrhythmia or linked to another illness.
Don't take unnecessary risks with your health.
If you're concerned about heart palpitations, it's essential to seek prompt medical attention to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, so you can keep your heart healthy and your mind at ease.
The main causes of heart palpitations 📖
Palpitations can have a variety of causes.
Among the most common factors are excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, smoking, taking certain medications and using illicit drugs. Stress, anxiety and "strong emotions" can also cause palpitations.
More generally, any stressful situation can cause palpitations.
Certain medical conditions can cause heart palpitations.
The hormonal imbalance experienced during menopause can be a cause, for example.
More serious illnesses can also be the cause, such as thyrotoxicosis, characterized by excessive thyroid hormone production, or certain heart diseases.
Symptoms associated with heart palpitations 🔍
Beyond the sensation of strong, rapid or irregular beating in the chest, other symptoms may be associated with palpitations.
They vary according to the cause of the palpitations, but typically include dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and unusual fatigue or exhaustion after minimal exertion.
Some of the symptoms associated with palpitations may indicate a medical emergency.
This is the case, for example, if you feel intense chest pain, have difficulty breathing or lose consciousness.
In such cases, urgent medical attention is required.
The link between palpitations and cardiac arrhythmia 💔
Palpitations can be a sign of cardiac arrhythmia, i.e. an irregular heartbeat.
There are different types of arrhythmia, some of which can cause palpitations.
When an arrhythmia occurs, the heart may beat too fast, too slow or irregularly.
If this is the case, you may feel your heart skip a beat or beat at an irregular rhythm, which can be very unpleasant.
It's important to bear in mind that many people live with cardiac arrhythmia harmlessly and without even knowing it, but in some cases it can be a sign of a potentially serious health problem.
For this reason, all arrhythmias should be evaluated by a physician.
Our approach at Cardio Laval 🧑⚕️
At Centre Cardio Laval, we are committed to offering a personalized and professional approach to each and every one of our patients.
We know that palpitations can be distressing, which is why we do everything we can to help our patients understand their symptoms and find the best solutions for their health.
Our team includes experienced and committed cardiologists.
We work closely with our patients to provide support tailored to their needs.
Diagnostic tests available ⚕️
Tests available at the Centre Cardio Laval include holter tests, electrocardiograms (ECG), cardiac ultrasound and more.
Holter testing is a painless procedure that generally takes 24 to 48 hours.
It involves attaching electrodes to your skin which record the electrical activity of your heart during this period.
The ECG is another painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart.
It allows you to discern heart rate and beats per minute, as well as identify any abnormalities.
Cardiac ultrasound is an examination that uses ultrasound to image the heart and its valves, as well as the large vessels connected to them.
It is particularly useful for diagnosing heart disease.
At Cardio Laval, our team uses these tools to accurately diagnose the causes of palpitations and propose the best treatment plan for each patient.
We encourage anyone experiencing palpitations to make an appointment so that we can understand what's going on and, together, find the best solutions for managing these uncomfortable sensations.
Living with palpitations: Tips and strategies from Cardio Laval
The role of lifestyle and diet 🍽️
Having a healthy heart isn't just about worrying about heart palpitations or other symptoms related to your heart rhythm.
Your lifestyle plays a key role.
A balanced, healthy diet is your first line of defense.
Heart-healthy foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and unsaturated fats.
The importance of medical follow-up 🚨
At Cardio Laval, we are committed to providing you with regular and comprehensive medical follow-up.
This is crucial for proactively monitoring your heart health, enabling health problems to be detected and treated before they become more serious.
Your health is our priority.
The impact of stress on palpitations 😡
Stress has an impact on the heart.
Stressful situations can trigger palpitations and other symptoms.
Learning to manage stress can help keep your heart rate stable.
Meditation, yoga and regular relaxation activities can be valuable tools in your stress management toolbox.
The importance of physical activity 💪
Finally, we can't stress enough the benefits of regular exercise for heart health.
Regular physical activity helps keep your heart strong, reducing the risk of palpitations and other heart problems.
You don't have to become a marathon runner; a daily walk or the practice of an activity you enjoy can be enough.
Living with heart palpitations is a challenge, but it's not a sentence.
With the right care and support, you can manage this symptom and live a full and active life.
At Cardio Laval, our goal is to help you take care of your heart, whether you suffer from heart palpitations, arrhythmia or other cardiac conditions.
We're here to support you at every stage of your heart health journey.
If you have any questions, concerns or would like to schedule an examination, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Make an appointment now via the link . 🖥️
We look forward to helping you with your heart health needs.
