Why Is My Heart Doing the Cha-Cha? Let’s Know All About Heart Palpitations

Do you have stress or anxiety? This may be one of the causes of heart palpitations. Those show the symptoms of a fast, hammering, or irregular heartbeat that might feel like the heart is beating rapidly or skipping beats. Heart palpitations are becoming increasingly common in India, often linked to a combination of lifestyle factors and underlying health conditions. 

Palpitations are mostly harmless, but they can sometimes suggest underlying cardiac disorders, such as irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), which may necessitate treatment. Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, stress, and hormonal fluctuations are all common triggers. If your palpitations continue or are accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness or chest pain, you should visit a doctor.

Heart palpitations, characterised by a rapid, irregular, or forceful heartbeat, can manifest as a fluttering, pounding, or racing sensation in the chest. While often harmless, they may sometimes indicate a more serious heart condition, such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Lifestyle factors like stress, caffeine intake, and lack of sleep can trigger palpitations. 

If you experience persistent or severe palpitations, especially when accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness, consult your doctor for a proper evaluation.

Heart palpitations occur when the heart's electrical system, which regulates the heartbeat, malfunctions. This can lead to irregular heart rhythms, resulting in the heart beating too quickly, too slowly, or unevenly.

• Sinoatrial (SA) Node: Often called the "pacemaker" of the heart, it generates electrical impulses that trigger each heartbeat.
• Atrioventricular (AV) Node: This node slows down the electrical signals before they reach the ventricles, ensuring coordinated contraction of the heart chambers.
• Bundle of His and Purkinje Fibers: These structures conduct the electrical impulses to the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump blood.

• Extra beats (ectopic beats): Additional heartbeats that originate from somewhere other than the SA node.
• Tachycardia: A rapid heart rate, often over 100 beats per minute.
• Bradycardia: A slow heart rate, often below 60 beats per minute.
• Atrial fibrillation: A common type of irregular heartbeat that can lead to rapid and chaotic electrical signals in the atria.

Heart palpitations can be triggered by many different factors, both physical and emotional.

• Lifestyle Factors

Stress and anxiety have a substantial impact on heart health. When we are stressed, our bodies produce adrenaline, a hormone that increases our heart rate. Excessive caffeine or nicotine usage can also cause palpitations. A lack of sleep can disturb the body's natural rhythm, leading to irregular heartbeats. Furthermore, a bad diet consisting of processed foods and sugary beverages might be detrimental to general heart health.

• Medical Conditions

Underlying cardiac problems, such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, can result in irregular heartbeat and palpitations. Hyperthyroidism, a disorder in which the thyroid gland generates excessive hormones, can also cause rapid heartbeat and palpitations. Electrolyte imbalances, particularly those involving potassium or magnesium, can disrupt the heart's electrical signals, resulting in palpitations. Sleep apnoea, a sleep disorder marked by pauses in breathing, can interrupt sleep and contribute to abnormal heart rhythms.

Heart palpitations are frequently accompanied by chest discomfort. These sensations differ from person to person, but common symptoms include a racing heart, fluttering skipped beats, and a hammering chest. Palpitations can occasionally be accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, anxiety, or perspiration. You should see a doctor if you are experiencing frequent or severe palpitations, especially if other symptoms accompany them.

While you can't always prevent heart palpitations, especially if they're caused by an underlying medical condition, you can take steps to effectively minimise their frequency and severity. 

Here are some lifestyle modifications that can help:

• Manage stress: To relieve stress, use relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.
• Limit stimulants: Reduce your intake of caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese puts additional strain on your heart.
• Eat a healthy diet: A diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein will help improve heart health.
• Regular exercise: Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
• Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of good sleep per night.
• Avoid excessive alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption may negatively impact your heart health.

Heart palpitations can be a bit of a mystery, but understanding the causes and taking steps to manage them can help alleviate your worries. Remember, while occasional palpitations are often harmless, persistent or very severe symptoms should prompt a visit to your doctor. By making lifestyle changes like managing stress, limiting stimulants, and maintaining a healthy diet, you can effectively minimise the frequency and severity of heart palpitations.

While occasional palpitations are often harmless, you can manage them by reducing stress, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and ensuring adequate sleep. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a doctor.

Seek medical attention if palpitations are frequent, severe, or accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting.

Deficiencies in potassium and magnesium can disrupt the heart's electrical signals, leading to palpitations.

Excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption can trigger palpitations. Some individuals may also experience them after consuming spicy foods.

While drinking water is essential for overall health, it won't directly stop heart palpitations. However, staying hydrated can help maintain optimal heart function.

Yes, sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterised by pauses in breathing, can disrupt sleep and result in heart palpitations.

Most of the time, heart palpitations are harmless. However, if they are frequent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, it's important to consult a doctor.