Heart Palpitations Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Heart palpitations or palpitations are conditions in which a person feels the heart work that is strong, fast, or irregular. Usually, the patient feels uncomfortable with the onset of palpitations.
Symptom
Some of the symptoms that you may feel when you experience heart palpitations are:
- heart pounding
- sensations like heart-stopping or skipping
The presence of ‘red flag’ symptoms can indicate conditions that require special attention, these symptoms include:
- Dizziness or fainting
- Chest pain
- Out of breath
- Irregular heartbeat, including a heartbeat > 120 beats/minute or < 45 beats/minute at rest
- There is heart disease
- Have a history of recurrent fainting or sudden death in the family
- Palpitations precipitated by physical exertion, especially if accompanied by fainting spells
Reason
Although often harmless, some diseases can cause symptoms of palpitations. In general, there are two causes of palpitations, originating from the heart (such as heart rhythm abnormalities or structural abnormalities of the heart) or non-cardiac (such as psychiatric illness, drugs, anemia, thyroid disease, etc.)
Diagnosis
To determine whether palpitations are caused by normal things or serious illnesses, it is necessary to do a thorough evaluation.
An examination is carried out through a series of medical interviews to find out the frequency and duration of complaints, precipitating factors, presence of symptoms of abnormal ‘red flags’, family history, complaints related to the cause of palpitations (eg history of bleeding due to anemia or complaints of easy shaking, weight loss) body and easily overheated in conditions where the body produces too much thyroid hormone).
In addition, a physical examination is also needed to check vital signs, neck and head examination, heart examination, checking for the presence or absence of tremors. While supporting examinations that can be carried out are EKG (cardiac record) examinations, and laboratory examinations, especially hemoglobin levels, electrolytes, kidney function, thyroid hormones, etc.
Treatment
Treatment is adjusted to the cause of the palpitations that appear. To treat palpitations that are not caused by serious illness, the use of beta-blocker drugs such as propranolol and metoprolol can be considered. These drugs can reduce the burden on the heart and lower blood pressure.
Prevention
You can prevent the sensation of a pounding heart that is not caused by a serious illness by:
- Exercise regularly
- Stop consuming caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes
- Meet daily fluid needs by drinking 8 glasses of water or 2 liters per day.
- Reduce stress