heart palpitations?

Question

just wondering if anyone else suffers from plapitations of the heart? i only get them every now and then but i'd just like to hear your stories or if you know what causes them?

Answer 1

Palpitations mean that the heart is not behaving normally. It can appear to skip beats, beat rapidly, beat irregularly, or thump in the chest. Although palpitations are very common and often harmless, they can be frightening to the person, who is usually unaware of his or her heartbeat.

Palpitations can also be a sign of serious heart trouble. Palpitations that are caused by certain types of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) can be serious, and even fatal if left untreated. Recognizable arrhythmias are present in a small number of patients who have palpitations. Immediate medical attention should be sought for palpitations that feel like a very fast series of heartbeats, last more than two or three minutes, and are unrelated to strenuous physical activity, obvious fright, or anger. Medical attention should also be sought if palpitations are accompanied by chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or an overall feeling of weakness.

Most people have experienced a skipped or missed heartbeat, which is really an early beat and not a skipped beat at all. After a premature heartbeat, the heart rests for an instant then beats with extra force, making the person feel as if the heart has skipped a beat. This type of palpitation is nothing to worry about unless it occurs frequently. Severe palpitations feel like a thudding or fluttering sensation in the chest. After chest pain, palpitations are the most common reason that people are referred for cardiology evaluation.

I am a heart patient and my doctors have told me about this palpitation. IF YOU ARE NOT A HEART PATIENT YOU SHOULD BE CAREFUL AND IMMEDIATELY SEE A CARDIOLOGIST AND HAVE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR HEART AND TREATMENT THEREOF. PLEASE DO NOT NEGLECT. -

Answer 2

A heart palpitation results when your heart either is pumping harder or faster then what is normal for you but typically the heart contraction is strong enough for you to feel. The heart rate and contractility (the strength with which the heart beats) is controlled by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system which, respectively, release epinephrine (aka adrenaline) and nor-epinephrine. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for "fight or flight" and the parasympathetic nervous system for "resting and digesting". Palpitations can be caused by a number of factors including stress, high caffeine intake, certain types of drugs, infection, etc. Usually heart palpitations don't indicate and underlying problem and are really common during pregnancy and in preteens, teens and even young adults (thank your hormones). Also, they are normal in athletes as well. However, if your family has any kind of cardiac history (ie heart attacks, heart murmurs, congestive heart failure aka CHF) then you should make an appointment to go see your primary care doctor or a cardiologist, just to be sure that the palpitations that you are feeling aren't masking an underlying problem.

Answer 3

Raising my hand!

I 've had them for several years and stress and anxiety seem to be the biggest culprits. Hormonal changes can do it, too much caffeine as well.

They are pretty common with a lot of people.

Answer 4

it's scary. I work out and eat right but have arrhythmia and tachycardia which kinda sucks.

its only enduced during my stress but when I take my Apical it jumps sometimes a half second of beat

scary