Heart Palpitations and Arrhythmias


Whether your heart beats faster while watching a horror movie or flutters whenever you see your crush, it’s not uncommon for emotions to trigger heart palpitations. You may have these feelings in your chest, throat or neck, and they can occur during activity or even when you're sitting still or lying down. However, some palpitations are symptoms of arrhythmias, which are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat.

According to the National Institutes of Health, some arrhythmias are signs of heart conditions, such as heart attack, heart failure, heart valve disease or heart muscle disease. Still, less than half of the people who have palpitations have arrhythmias.

“You can take steps to reduce or prevent palpitations by avoiding things that trigger them like stress, nicotine and alcohol,” ARH Cardiologist Georges Damaa, M.D. explained. 

An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow or with an irregular rhythm. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia.




“Atrial fibrillation may happen every now and then (Paroxysmal), or it may become an ongoing or long-term heart problem that lasts for years,” stated Damaa.


AF may be brief, with symptoms that come and go and end on their own. If the condition becomes ongoing, it could require treatment. People who have AF can live normal, active lives. For some people, treatment can restore normal heart rhythms.

For people who have permanent AF, treatment can help control symptoms and prevent complications. Treatment may include medicines, medical procedures and lifestyle changes. The goals of treating AF include: preventing blood clots from forming, lowering the risk of stroke; controlling how many times a minute the ventricles contract, which is important because it allows the ventricles enough time to completely fill with blood and you feel better; restoring a normal heart rhythm; treating any underlying disorder that's causing or raising the risk of AF—for example, hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone).

If you are having heart palpitations on a regular basis and want to be evaluated by a cardiologist, go online to Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) at www.arh.org or call your local ARH hospital.


Source: National Institute of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

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