Is your heart beating fast too? Do you feel butterflies in your chest? (Palpitations) Let's talk about this!

Do you sometimes feel like your heart is beating uncontrollably, or like it's suddenly skipping a beat? Maybe it feels like something is moving inside your chest, or it's beating very fast. These experiences are what we medically call 'palpitations'. Don't be scared when you hear this, we'll talk about it simply, in a way that you can understand.

What are these 'palpitations'?

Simply put, palpitations are the feeling you get of your heart beating. This can be of various types:

• The heart is beating loudly: as if someone is tapping on the chest.
• Racing heart: Like when you come running, or when you are very scared.
• Skipped beat: A feeling as if the heart suddenly stopped and then started beating again.
• Fluttering: A feeling like a butterfly is fluttering in the chest.
• Irregular heartbeat: A feeling that the heart is beating irregularly, rather than in a rhythm.

These feelings can last for a few seconds, sometimes for minutes. The important thing is that these 'palpitations' are not a disease, but can be a symptom of a condition. Most of the time they are not dangerous, but sometimes you should be a little concerned.

Why do we get these 'palpitations'?

There can be many reasons for a heart palpitations. Some of them are very common. Let's see what those reasons are.

1. Reasons related to our lifestyle:

These are the main reasons why we often experience palpitations.

• Stress and Anxiety:

Imagine you have a big exam, or a problem at work, or a family problem... At times like these, your heart feels very heavy, doesn't it? At times like these, your heart rate can increase. Some people also experience this type of heart rate when they have `(Panic Attacks)`.

• Beverages containing caffeine:

We all know that tea, coffee, and some soft drinks (especially energy drinks) contain caffeine. Too much of these can increase your heart rate. If you drink several cups of coffee a day, you need to think about this a little.

• Nicotine:

This condition can occur in smokers and vapers. Nicotine is a stimulant of the heart.

• Alcohol:

For some people, even a small amount of alcohol can increase their heart rate. If you drink too much, it can definitely have an effect.

• Strenuous Exercise:

Exercising well is good for the body. However, if you suddenly do an unfamiliar, intense workout, or if you exert yourself too much, your heart rate may increase.

• Dehydration:

This can happen even when you don't drink enough water. Drinking water is very important in the heat of our country.

• Lack of Sleep:

Not getting enough sleep can also affect heart function.

• Some types of food:

This can happen to some people even after eating spicy, oily, or sweet foods.

2. Medical reasons:

Sometimes, palpitations can be caused by a medical condition.

• Heart Conditions:

This can be caused by certain heart rhythm disorders (Arrhythmias). For example, conditions like Atrial Fibrillation and Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT). It can also be caused by structural problems in the heart, such as heart muscle weakness. These are things that should definitely be checked out by a doctor.

• Thyroid Problems:

Heart rate can increase, especially when the thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism).

• Low hemoglobin in the blood (anemia):

When the blood supply to the body decreases, the heart has to work harder. Palpitations can also occur.

• Fever:

When you have a fever, your heart rate naturally increases.

• Electrolyte Imbalance:

Too much or too little of minerals like potassium and magnesium can affect the heart's rhythm.

• Low blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia):

This can happen if the blood sugar of people with diabetes or others suddenly drops.

• Certain Medications:

Some inhalers for asthma, some cold medications, and some medications for mental illness can also cause palpitations.

• Hormonal Changes:

Some women may experience this during pregnancy, menopause, or around the time of their monthly period.

When should we be worried about this? When should we see a doctor?

Okay, now you're probably thinking, "If this is something that happens for so many reasons, should I be worried? Should I see a doctor?"

Most of the time, this heart palpitations are not dangerous. However, in some cases, it is definitely important to seek medical advice.

If you have any of these symptoms along with palpitations, you should definitely see a doctor:

• Dizziness or Lightheadedness: If you feel dizzy or lightheaded as your heart races, or your eyes turn blue and start to light up.
• Fainting or Syncope: If you suddenly lose consciousness and fall.
• Chest Pain or Discomfort: If you experience a squeezing, squeezing, or burning pain in your chest as your heart beats.
• Shortness of Breath: If you feel like you are having trouble breathing, even when you are just standing still.
• A very fast or irregular heartbeat: If your heart rate feels very fast (more than 120-150 beats per minute), or if your heart rhythm feels completely out of whack.
• Palpitations occur frequently, last for a long time, or get worse.
• If you have other heart disease or if someone in your family has had sudden cardiac death or serious heart rhythm problems.

If you have these symptoms, don't dismiss them as normal. It's wise to seek medical advice immediately.

What happens when you meet a doctor?

When you go to see a doctor, he or she will first ask you a few questions. This means finding out details about your medical history.

• When do palpitations occur?
• How long has it been?
• What does it feel like (swirling, giving way, rolling)?
• Do you get more severe symptoms when you eat, drink, or do something (Triggers)?
• Are there any other symptoms (such as chest pain, difficulty breathing)?
• What medications do you take?
• What is your lifestyle like (diet, smoking, alcohol, exercise)?
• Does anyone in the family have heart disease?

Then the doctor will do a physical examination, listening to your heart and checking your pulse rate.

Next, you may be asked to do some tests to help find the cause:

• ECG (Electrocardiogram): This is a simple, painless test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It is very useful if you can get an ECG when you have palpitations.
• Holter Monitor: This is a small device that is worn on your body for 24 to 48 hours. During this time, your heart rate is continuously recorded. This is useful if you have frequent palpitations but they are not detected on an ECG.
• Event Recorder:This is similar to a Holter Monitor, but it can be used for days or weeks. You can record your own palpitations as soon as you feel them.
• Blood Tests: These tests help check things like thyroid hormone levels (Thyroid Function Tests), anemia (Full Blood Count), and electrolyte levels in the body.
• Echocardiogram: This is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It can check the structure of the heart, the function of the valves, and the condition of the heart muscle.
• Stress Test: If you sometimes experience palpitations while exercising, this is a test that involves taking an ECG while running on a treadmill.

Not everyone needs to have all of these tests. The decision about which tests to do will depend on your symptoms and your doctor's conclusion.

What can you do if you have palpitations?

The most important thing is to see a doctor and follow his or her instructions. But there are also things you can do to help manage this condition.

• Identify the cause and avoid it: Keep a small diary of when you get palpitations, what you do, and what you eat and drink (e.g., after drinking coffee, eating spicy food, or exercising). Then you can stay away from those things for a while.
• Manage stress: Try to calm your mind through things like deep breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga. It's also good to engage in a hobby you enjoy.
• Limit or stop caffeine and alcohol: Reduce your consumption of tea, coffee, energy drinks, and alcohol.
• Avoid smoking: If you are a smoker, it is very important to try to quit.
• Drink plenty of water: Drink enough water throughout the day.
• Get enough sleep: Try to get at least 7-8 hours of good sleep a day.
• Eat a balanced diet: Eat vegetables, fruits, and nutritious foods. Eat small meals rather than large meals at once.
• Only if your doctor advises you: Sometimes there are some methods called ``Vagal Maneuvers'' to control your heart rate a little. For example, taking a deep breath (like making a stomach growl), splashing cold water on your face, or making yourself cough. But be sure to ask your doctor before doing these and only do them if he or she approves.

Finally, take-home message:

So, 'palpitations' is a condition that affects many people and is usually not dangerous. However, it is not good to ignore it.

Remember, if you have any doubts or concerns about the way your heart is beating, or if you have any of the warning signs we discussed earlier, definitely see a doctor.

Don't worry, a doctor can help you find the cause of this condition and treat it if necessary. In most cases, you can control these 'palpitations' by making a few small lifestyle changes. Take care of your heart!

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