Are you experiencing a Racing Heart: Do not Ignore
What is a racing heart?
Have you ever experienced a racing heart or heart palpitation? It is a sensation that your heart has skipped a beat or there may be extra beats causing it to pound or flutter. Not only in the chest, but these palpitations can be felt in the throat or neck as well. While palpitations are generally harmless, it may at times indicate a serious heart condition.
What causes these palpitations
Palpitations can be caused by a variety of factors like stress, panic, anxiety, anaemia, low blood sugar levels, excessive smoking, or it may be a side effect of certain drugs. Thyroid disorders can lead to irregular heart rhythm which will improve once it is corrected. Palpitations may also be associated with underlying serious conditions like heart disease, abnormal heart valves or an arrythmia (irregular beating of the heart).
Palpitations can indicate heart arrythmia
Any palpitation accompanied by fainting, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath or extreme weakness and near fainting could indicate an arrhythmia. Arrythmias or irregular beating of the heart occur when there are abnormalities in the electrical impulses in the heart. This causes the heart to beat abnormally fast or slow. When the heart beats too fast it is called tachycardia and when too slow it is called bradycardia.
If palpitations are infrequent and last only a few seconds, there is no need to be evaluated. However, if one has a history of heart disease and experiences these palpitations frequently it is recommended to consult a doctor for further evaluation.
What causes arrythmia and what are the warning sings
Arrythmias can be caused by a heart attack, sleep disorders (sleep apnea) high blood pressure, thyroid disorders or coronary artery disease. Other risk factors include smoking, stress, drug abuse and alcohol consumption. This condition could also be genetic. The symptoms of arrythmias comprise chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, weakness and irregular heartbeats. Medical evaluation will involve a detailed examination to diagnose the cause of the arrhythmia.
Can arrythmias be fatal
Most of the arrhythmias are benign. Certain arrythmias can increase the risk of developing serious diseases such as stroke and heart failure. A common condition in elderly called Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke. Novel anticoagulants (blood thinners) are very effective in preventing stroke and they are much safer than the traditional drugs like warfarin.
Heart failure occurs when as a result of the irregular heartbeats the heart is unable to pump blood effectively and eventually weakens and tires out. Although heart failure increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, this risk of sudden death can be mitigated with appropriate medical and device therapies. (Implantable defibrillators-ICDs).
Treatment for arrythmias
Treatment depends upon the severity and type of arrythmia. Treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes, invasive therapies (electrical cardioversion, catheterablation), electrical devices (pacemakers, Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator i.e. ICD) or surgery.
Preventing arrythmias
· Healthy, well-balanced diet with maintenance of ideal weight
· Physical exercise/ yoga
· Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol
· Avoid stress and anxiety
· Adequate control of BP and diabetes.
· Avoid the use of OTC (over-the-counter) medicines
The important message to take home here is that one must follow a healthy lifestyle to prevent arrythmias and their complications. But if they do develop this problem it needs to be promptly addressed as safe and effective treatment options are available.
