Information needed on the medical condition Palpitation?!

Many of us get palpitations and most of the time they are harmless, only occasionally are they an indication of an underlying heart problem!. Almost all of us at some stage have an awareness of our own heart beat!. I presume any underlying heart problem has been ruled out!? Palpitations do not necessarily imply pathology, but should always be checked out!. Usually your GP will do blood work, then arrange for you to have a 24 hour ECG trace!.

Palpitations are more annoying then they are dangerous, your Dr may explain the Valsalva manoeuvre to you (this gently stimulates the vagus nerve, which helps control heart rate, and can stop a palpitation in its tracks)!. This is if it's confirmed your palpitations are normal and there is no underlying problem there!. Reducing caffeine intake may help too!. Palpation's are largely due to anxiety!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

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A palpitation (medical term: ectopic heart beat) is an abnormal awareness of the beating of the heart, whether it is too slow, too fast, irregular, or at its normal frequency!. The difference between an abnormal awareness and a normal awareness is that the latter is almost always caused by a concentration on the beating of one's heart and the former interrupts other thoughts!. Palpitations may be brought on by overexertion, adrenaline, alcohol, caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, and other drugs, disease (such as hyperthyroidism) or as a symptom of panic disorder!. More colloquially, it can also refer to a shaking motion!. It can also happen in mitral stenosis!.

Nearly everyone experiences an occasional awareness of their heart beating, but when it occurs frequently, it can indicate a problem!. Palpitations may be associated with heart problems, but also with anemias and thyroid malfunction!.

Attacks can last for a few seconds or hours, and may occur very infrequently, or more than daily!. Palpitations alongside other symptoms, including sweating, faintness, chest pain or dizziness, indicate irregular or poor heart function and should be investigated!.

Palpitations may also be associated with anxiety and panic attacks, in which case psychological assessment is recommended!. This is a common disorder associated with a lot of common medications such as anti-depressants!.

Palpitations can also occur from blood loss, excessive pain, or lack of oxygen!.

the symptoms are:
Many times, the person experiencing palpitations may not be aware of anything apart from the abnormal heart rhythm itself!. But palpitations can be associated with other things such as tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness or light-headedness!. Depending on the type of rhythm problem, these symptoms may be just momentary or more prolonged!. Actual blackouts or near blackouts, associated with palpitations, should be taken seriously because they often indicate the presence of important underlying heart disease!.
the diagnosis is:
The most important initial clue to the diagnosis is one's description of the palpitations!. The approximate age of the person when first noticed and the circumstances under which they occur are important, as is information about caffeine intake (tea or coffee drinking)!. It is also very helpful to know how they start and stop (abruptly or not), whether or not they are regular, and approximately how fast the pulse rate is during an attack!. If the person has discovered a way of stopping the palpitations, that is also helpful information!.

The diagnosis is usually not made by a routine medical examination and electrical tracing of the heart's activity (ECG), because most people cannot arrange to have their symptoms while visiting the doctor!. Nevertheless, findings such as a heart murmur or an abnormality of the ECG, which could point to the probable diagnosis, may be discovered!. In particular, ECG changes that can be associated with specific disturbances of the heart rhythm may be picked up; so routine physical examination and ECG remain important in the assessment of palpitations!.

Blood tests, particularly tests of thyroid gland function are also important baseline investigations (an overactive thyroid gland is a potential cause for palpitations; the treatment in that case is to treat the thyroid gland over-activity)!.

The next level of diagnostic testing is usually 24 hour (or longer) ECG monitoring, using a form of tape recorder (a bit like a Walkman) called a Holter monitor, which can record the ECG continuously during a 24-hour period!. If symptoms occur during monitoring it is a simple matter to examine the ECG recording and see what the cardiac rhythm was at the time!. For this type of monitoring to be helpful, the symptoms must be occurring at least once a day!. If they are less frequent then the chances of detecting anything with continuous 24, or even 48-hour monitoring, are quite remote!.

Other forms of monitoring are available, and these can be useful when symptoms are infrequent!. A continuous-loop event recorder monitors the ECG continuously, but only saves the data when the wearer activates it!. Once activated, it will save the ECG data for a period of time before the activation and for a period of time afterwards - the cardiologist who is investigating the palpitations can program the length of these periods!. A new type of continuous-loop recorder has been developed recently that may be helpful in people with very infrequent, but disabling symptoms!. This recorder is implanted under the skin on the front of the chest, like a pacemaker!. It can be programmed and the data examined using an external device that communicates with it by means of a radio signal!.

Investigation of heart structure can also be important!. The heart in most people with palpitations is completely normal in its physical structure, but occasionally abnormalities such as valve problems may be present!. Usually, but not alwaWww@Answer-Health@Com

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Moe Man,
Palpitations without associated arrhythmias and heart diseases may not require specific treatment!. Patients are often advised simply to reduce emotional and physical stress while monitoring their symptoms!. Palpitations resulting from premature contractions (PACs and PVCs) often require no specific treatment!. The frequency of premature contractions can be reduced by stress reduction, quitting smoking, and reducing caffeine, and alcohol consumption!. High blood adrenaline levels can lead to premature contractions, while stress reduction helps to lower blood adrenaline levels!. For patients with persistent palpitations and premature contractions, medications, such as beta-blockers, can be used to block the effect of adrenaline on the heart, thus reducing premature contractions!. Examples of beta-blockers include propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor), and atenolol (Tenormin)!. Side effects of beta blockers include worsening of asthma, excessive lowering of heart rate and blood pressure, depression, fatigue, and impotence!. Some patients who suffer palpitations also have periods of dizziness or loss of consciousness (syncope)!. These patients are sometimes evaluated by heart electrical specialists called "electrophysiologists!." A more detailed study of the heart's electrical system can be performed by these specialists who use devices to stimulate areas of the heart to detect abnormal electrical pathways!. if you have unexplained palpitations, start with simple steps to help alleviate them!. Cut back on caffeine, smoking, and alcohol; avoid over-the-counter decongestants, eat and drink regularly, get enough sleep, and find a way to relax if you are stressed!. In some cases, your doctor may recommend medications or a procedure to correct errant electrical signals in the heart!. If your palpitations aren

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