Heart palpitations?

Question

What is the cause of heart palpitations and to what extent are they considered dangerous to oneself?

Answer 1

The heart beats at a steady rhythm because of a few things. Firstly, it has an internal electrical wiring and a 'switch'. Switch gets turned on, and electricity flows accordingly along this wiring. What determines how quickly the switch is turned on/off is a) the brain, b) conditions of the body that affects the amount of blood/oxygen in vital organs, and c) the chemicals in your blood called hormones.

The heart generally beats faster when your brain/body tells it that there's an increased need for oxygen.

So a few questions I would as is....

Is your heart beating faster than usual? Or is it beating at an abnormal rhythm (to find out, find your pulse - either on your wrist or your neck...those are the easiest spots- and tap out the rhythm with your foot).

If the rhythm is just quick, it could mean that a) You are stressed (brain), b) you are in pain (brain), c) you've had too much caffeine/red bull (chemicals/hormones), d) You've just exercised/walked a flight of stairs (brains, oxygen, chemicals/hormones) etc, e) you are having an anxiety attack (brains/hormones) or f) you have an endocrine (hormones-glands) or heart/lung problem (oxygen).

Does it come with any other symptoms such as shortness of breath? Chest pain? Dizziness? Faintness? Pallor (pale skin)? Tingling sensation in your feet and hands? - these indicate that either you have pushed yourself too hard, or there's something wrong with the way you heart/lungs is pumping blood into your body and you will need an ECG (which is a trace of the electrical activity of your heart)

If its an abnormal rhythm, this is as it sounds, abnormal and you need to get checked right away. The doctor would most likely first take your pulse and blood pressure, have a listen to your heart and lungs, do a blood test, take a trace of your heart and if warranted send you for more intensive testing - exercise stress test, nuclear med scan, echocardiogram etc.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hi Sticky! I cannot tell if you are male or female. I am a woman going through menopause, irregular heart beat is a part of the process. I cannot guess the problem if you are either less than 50 years old or .if you are 38 and a hetero male living on Cape Cod Massachusetts You will have heart palapations, I just don't understand why

Answer 3

They can be caused by many different things. From stress to several different heart conditions. Even medications. Whether or not they are dangerous depends on what the cause of them are. In other words, they are secondary to another problem.

Answer 4

Any abnormal heart rhythms can be dangerous. I had palps for months and finally I went to my dr, I was diagnosed with a mitrovalve prolapse. Which means one of my heart valves backfire. Now I just have to be careful when I have procedures done. Lots of things can cause them though. Your heart is never something you should mess around with.

Answer 5

They can be dangerous if its something seriously wrong with your heart, vessels or valves. Go to a heart specialist and get it checked out. They can be caused by a variety of things: stress, caffeine, defects, over the counter or prescription pills, etc. If they continue, they could lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Answer 6

wow,that can be scary..my hubby went through that,still does.Now he takes toprol...go to the doc..BUT he said everyone has them , just some poepl notice them.If they get bothersome, go!! they can help you manage it..also,low potassium can cause heart palpitations..eat a banana & or potatoe, or drink some oj..google potassium rich foods, this may help..cut back on caffeine,quit smoking.get exercise..get & keep a healthy heart!!

Answer 7

Milk>homogenized... and hydrogenated food products...The palpitations are dangerous when you get the big one.

Answer 8

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TheOpenDoorForsupport/