What causes heart palpitations?!


Question:

What causes heart palpitations?

I get palpitations a lot, basically everyday. People told me it's because of stress....but I'm not stressed at all. Are there any other causes, and should I be worried?


Answers:

There are other causes such as thyroid problems, anemia, a variety of heart diseases to name a few, a valve that is not working properly (as I had), etc. You should consult your physician and/or cardiologist and have this checked out.

The primary function of the heart is to supply blood and nutrients to the body. The regular beating, or contraction, of the heart moves the blood throughout the body. Each heartbeat is controlled by electrical impulses traveling through the heart. In the normal heart these electrical impulses occur in regular intervals. When something goes wrong with the heart’s electrical system, the heart does not beat regularly. The irregular beating results in a rhythm disorder, or arrhythmia.

Other causes of heart palpitations are:
A variety of heart diseases cause arrhythmias. Heart disease can refer to patients with coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, heart failure, or disorders with heart conduction or high blood pressure. Remember, however, that having an arrhythmia does not necessarily mean that you have heart disease. Arrhythmias have many causes; sometimes the cause of an arrhythmia is never determined.

Sometimes, conditions other than heart disease may cause or aggravate arrhythmias. These conditions include the following:

Infection or fever

Physical or emotional stress

Diseases such as anemia or thyroid disease

Drugs and other stimulants, such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, and certain over-the-counter and prescription medications

Certain arrhythmias can be inherited as well

Eliminating stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and certain medications can treat palpitations caused by such substances.

If the palpitations are caused by an arrhythmia, many medications (such as anti-arrhythmics, beta-blockers) can be used to stop or control the different arrhythmias.

In rare cases, arrhythmia may require electric shock, cardioversion, or cardiac defibrillation to restore normal heart rhythm. These treatments are usually reserved for life-threatening arrhythmias or those not affected by anti-arrhythmic medications.

An implantable defibrillator or a pacemaker may be surgically inserted if the risk remains for potentially life-threatening arrhythmias or if the electrical conduction system of the heart needs assistance.

Thyroid disease may also cause heart palpitations, in that case correcting the thyroid abnormality may improve palpitations.

http://firstaid.webmd.com/palpitations_t...
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart...
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart...
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart...




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