Palpitations are usually harmless and go away as they came. In some cases, however, we feel the strong heartbeat due to diseases and conditions, but it is not always easy to decide in which direction it is worth going if we want to know the reason. Dr. Tamás Bőhm, internist and cardiologist at the Cardiocenter, drew attention to the importance of investigating relatively common causes, anxiety disorders and heart diseases.
Palpitation – why can we feel the heartbeat stronger?
When someone suddenly becomes aware of their heartbeat, they feel a strong heartbeat, they can easily get scared, since we are usually not aware of this operation independent of our will. A strong, possibly rapid, skipping or pounding heartbeat is called palpitations, and although it can be an unpleasant sensation, it is usually harmless. Palpitation typically lasts for a few seconds or minutes, although we can rarely feel our irregular heartbeat for longer.
– Many times, someone may be aware of what they believe is an abnormal heartbeat precisely because they are paying attention to it, but at the same time, it may be that stress and the consumption of certain substances, mainly alcohol, nicotine or caffeine, are behind the strong heartbeat. Excessively intense physical exercise and heavy sweating (due to loss of electrolytes) can also cause strong palpitations, but there are also certain diseases and conditions that are worth looking into, emphasizes Dr. Bőhm.
– The first possibilities that arise are anemia, hyperthyroidism and, not infrequently, psychological diseases such as anxiety disorders and heart rhythm disorders.
What are the signs of an anxiety disorder?
People who experience palpitations due to untreated stress or anxiety usually experience other symptoms as well. Anxiety can not only trigger processes in the heart, but rapid, shallow breathing, sweating, muscle tension, tremors, exhaustion, and digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea, can also appear. In addition, the anxious person experiences a kind of hypervigilance, i.e. a state of increased vigilance in which, among other things, he perceives his bodily sensations as if magnified. If these symptoms do not go away within a few minutes, or if they appear very frequently and already affect everyday activities, it is worth seeking psychiatric or psychological help, as this may even belong to the category of anxiety disorders.
Cardiology examination may also be necessary
The term palpitation can not only refer to the speed of the heartbeat, but also a kind of floating feeling in the chest, as if “butterflies are flying inside”. It is also typical that the heartbeat seems irregular, it speeds up or slows down, or even stops for a second or two. The feeling that the heart is beating so strongly that it can even be felt or “heard” in our ears can be said to be typical.
– If the symptoms are specifically focused on heart function, a cardiology examination is recommended, as such symptoms may indicate, for example, cardiac arrhythmias, myocarditis, structural heart diseases, and thyroid diseases may also be suspected, for which an endocrinologist should be consulted. A medical examination is required as soon as possible if chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion appear, if edema appears on the limbs he emphasizes dr. Tamás Böhminternist, cardiologist at the Cardiocenter.
– In order to find out whether the palpitation has a cardiological cause, the specialist can order a number of diagnostic and instrumental tests after a thorough interview and basic tests. A targeted laboratory test, a resting ECG, an exercise ECG and/or a Holter ECG of up to 7 days and an echocardiogram can be very important. In addition to all of this, additional special tests may be required, which the cardiologist can decide on based on the results.
Source: Cardio center
Source: www.patikamagazin.hu
