Can heart palpitations be a sign of a serious, underlying heart condition? I sometimes experience heart palpitations at night that keep me awake for hours.
Heart palpitations cause the sensation of rapid, fluttering or pounding heartbeats. Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they're often harmless. Common causes of heart palpitations include:
Anxiety
Stress
Exercise
Caffeine
Nicotine
Fever
Hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause
Certain medications, such as pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in some cold and allergy medicines
Often the cause of heart palpitations can't be determined. However, occasionally, heart palpitations can be a sign of a serious, underlying problem such as hyperthyroidism or an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Arrhythmias may include very fast heart rates (tachycardia), unusually slow heart rates (bradycardia) or an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation).
If you're concerned about heart palpitations, consult your doctor. He or she may recommend further evaluation such as heart monitoring tests. Seek prompt medical attention if heart palpitations are accompanied by:
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort or pain
Fainting
No comments:
Post a Comment