My brother is experiencing palpitations of the heart. It's been going on for the last 5 days or so. He only feels it after 1pm and it happens at rest and during work as a sales clerk. He's not overly stressed, but is a little stressed about making enough money. He's experienced this before when he took caffeine pills a few years ago but made sure not to take caffeine recently. He doesn't workout and I would say he's pretty lazy playing world of warcraft most of the day when he's not working 30 hr/week. His heart will skip a beat a few times a minute or more during the worst times, but not usually that often. He said it's been getting worse. He doesn't have health insurance and does not want to go to the hospital unless it's a major issue. He wants to wait to see if it will get better on its own. It kept him from sleeping, that's when we talked about it, and now he's going to try sleeping again. I don't know what to do about the situation.
2007-10-14 20:22:34 · 6 answers · asked by twiggy 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
In several people this normal. The stress is a factor, but mix that with any caffeine, even from coffee or soda, along with nicotine if he is a user, well thats pretty normal. Does he used recreational drugs? Could be that too. Tell him to lay off all the above and see if it improves. Most of the time palpitations in an otherwise health adult is a benign thing. If they scare him though, he should go be reassured by a doctor, because the added stress from the unknown won't help.
2007-10-14 23:29:11 · answer #1 · answered by Jay R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cardiac palpitations are sometimes caused by stress and anxiety. Too much caffeine will also do it. If his heart once in a while skip beats; don't worry. He might have irregular heartbeats or atrial fibrillations Or he might have a first degree A-V Block via the skipped beats. In either case, no treatment is required as long as he remains asymptomatic. The only time you both should be concerned is if he suffers chest pains with or without SOB.
Advise him to learn how to relax and become calm. And try to avoid Stress. Stress is the #1 killer for most of the diseases.
2007-10-15 03:43:52 · answer #2 · answered by rosieC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Arrhythmia is an abnormality in the heart's rhythm, or heartbeat pattern. The heartbeat can be too slow, too fast, have extra beats, skip a beat, or otherwise beat irregularly.
In many cases, the cause of an arrhythmia is unknown. Known causes of arrhythmias include heart disease, stress, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, diet pills, and decongestants in cough and cold medicines.
Symptoms of an arrhythmia include a fast heartbeat, pounding or fluttering chest sensations, skipping a heartbeat, "flip-flops," dizziness, faintness, shortness of breath, and chest pains.
If you've received a diagnosis of arrhythmia, treatment may or may not be necessary. Usually, it's required only if the arrhythmia is causing significant symptoms or if it's putting you at risk of a more serious arrhythmia or arrhythmia complication.
Many arrhythmias can be blamed on underlying heart disease, so your doctor may advise that, in addition to other treatments, you make lifestyle changes that will keep your heart as healthy as possible.
For instance, he or she may advise that you:
* Eat heart-healthy foods
* Increase your physical activity
* Quit smoking
* Cut back on caffeine and alcohol
* Find ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life
* Avoid stimulant medications, such as medications found in over-the-counter treatments for colds and nasal congestion-
2007-10-15 03:40:17 · answer #3 · answered by Jayaraman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs to get this checked out. I have something like this too and I had to wear a heart monitor for a month. I ended up having bening pre-ventricular contractions. It turns out that these are ok, but there are several heart conditions that a person can just suddenly drop dead from. It's important to get it checked out. It might be nothing like mine turned out or it could save his life.
2007-10-15 03:31:46 · answer #4 · answered by Some Guy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People can go many years with this condition - I too suffer from it - and I don't let it worry me too much - you sometimes - feel a 'light kick' when it does skip a beat - but nothing more. Providing your Brother doesn't do too strenuous exercise - and is otherwise fit and healthy he should be fine.
2007-10-15 03:29:30 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is due to STRESS!!!!
lack of sleep and overwork triggers autonomic disturbance in our body and leads to change in normal rhythm!!!
he needs to change his LIFESTYLE FOR GOOD!!!!
2007-10-15 03:28:30 · answer #6 · answered by nirvana 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋