Are heart palpitations bad?

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve experienced those unsettling flutters in your chest that make you feel like a fish flopping out of water. That’s right; we’re talking about heart palpitations! But what exactly are they, and most importantly: are they bad?

What are Heart Palpitations?

Let’s start with the basics here folks- what exactly are heart palpitations? Essentially, it’s when your heart beats at an irregular rhythm, skips a beat or two (heart be Trippin’!), or just feels like it’s beating too fast/hard. These sensations can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes (Longer than waiting for Avengers: Endgame to come out). They often occur during moments of increased stress/physical activity but can also happen while sitting down watching reality TV (like The Bachelor)!

Causes

The causes behind these pesky palpitations vary.As mentioned before, physical exertion or stress might trigger them(You never know when life gets real stressful-Facebook drama is serious business!), but other factors include:

  • Caffeine intake (No surprises there)

  • Hormonal changes (Ladies-you know how it is around “that time”)

  • Dehydration(Be sure to drink up!)

  • Alcohol consumption({INSERT WINKY FACE HERE } Naughtynaughty)

Symptoms

Palpitations themselves aren’t necessarily concerning-the majority of people experience them at some point in their lives. However, if accompanied by additional symptoms such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting (Oof)

These could be indications that something more severe may be occurring.

So…Are Heart Palpitation Really Bad?

In short-nothing indicates that experiencing occasional episodes of heart palpations means 100% health doom and gloom (But don’t go chugging Monster energy drinks like it’s water because of this little tidbit)! In general, the occasional palpitation is absolutely normal.

However, if they’re occurring with increased frequency or intensity-seeing a healthcare professional might be necessary to determine if there are underlying issues.

Common Causes

Here are some common causes for prevalent heart palps(Just in case you’ve spent too many years hibernating on your couch so far!):

Atrial fibrillation

This disorder is characterized by rapid/disorganized electrical signals running through the heart-making for one helluva chaotic supernova-like experience. If left untreated over time, it can lead to serious health complications.

Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia occurs when rapid contractions happen within the ventricles. This condition can sometimes turn into ventricular fibrillation, which can be fatal.

Stress/Anxiety

Stressful situations/Anxiety attacks may cause our bodies to release adrenaline, givebs us those fight-or-flight reactions (even though we aren’t actually in danger) . Thus leading to irregular heartbeats.

Testing for Heart Palpitations

If you are concerned about palpitations becoming a recurring issue- visiting your primary care physician is highly recommended.
Common diagnostic tests include:

EKG

(Electrocardiogram) – measures your hearts’ electrical activity while at rest and during physical exertion

Holter monitor

A wearable device that monitors heartbeat continuously throughout 24 hours.

Preventing Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations cannot always be avoided due to situational triggers such as anxiety/stress but taking preventive measures where possible-through alterations in diet/exercise habits-can help minimize their occurrence/frequency:

  • Limit caffeine intake (Putting down that cup o’ Joe never sounded harder…)
  • Exercise regularly(Hop on that treadmill, buddy!)
  • Maintain a healthy weight(Cheeseburgers are good and all but moderation is key!)
  • Stay hydrated (Don’t forget your H2O intake)

If you feel like heart palps might be triggered by a certain factor such as medication or specific food; identifying and avoiding those triggers can help alleviate palpitations.

When to See A Doctor

Consulting with your primary care physician if experiencing severe chest pain/dizziness/fainting along with the heartbeat irregularity is essential. In addition, If you’re noticing an increase in palpations intensity/frequency over time (just “gift’ effect… urgh.)-it would be best to book an appointment soonest!

Conclusion

To sum it up: heart palpitations aren’t always accompanied by underlying health risks but are relatively common. Becoming aware of preventative measures to avoid potential triggers through adopting health-conscious habits can aid against future episodes! Should you experience recurrent/different symptoms alongside them, contacting a healthcare professional should always be prioritized (Statto alert!) rather than brushing it off.

So sit back, relax and try not to let that next episode scare the shrimp outta ya (But keep calm when they occur because now we know better,and knowledge is power baby!).

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