Palpitations are a heart rhythm disorder. They are characterized by abnormal, disorderly, irregular or even painful heartbeats. Usually, the heart beats between 60 and 100 beats per minute. During palpitations, this figure is above 100. It may be tachycardia (= rapid and regular heartbeat) or extrasystole (= abnormal heartbeat accompanied by a feeling of stopping or beating ” misfires ”).

Palpitations feel like a “hit in the chest”. They induce discomfort in the heart and intensify the feeling of the heartbeat in the chest, throat and ears.

Palpitations can be triggered by anxiety, stress, or panic. In these cases, the adrenal glands secrete substances that increase the heart rate. Caffeine, tobacco, sport, heat, menopause in women or even certain drugs (neuroleptics, antidepressants, etc.) can cause palpitations.

Pathological reasons can also be the cause of palpitations:

• Anemia (= lack of hemoglobin) reduces oxygenation of the blood and accelerates the heart rate.
• In the case of hyperthyroidism, thyroid hormones influence certain heart enzymes (= proteins) involved in the way the heart contracts and lead to palpitations.
• Tachycardia can be caused by angina pectoris (= chest pain that usually appears during exertion), due to a narrowing of an artery that blocks the flow of blood, causing the heart muscle to pump blood faster. .
• High blood pressure puts high pressure on the blood vessels all the time and causes the heart to pump faster, which can cause palpitations.
• Irregular contraction of the atria of the heart (= atrial fibrillation) increases the heart rate and causes irregular and rapid contraction of the ventricles (= ventricular fibrillation). As a result, the pulse quickens.

Palpitations are not dangerous but can become dangerous when their cause is heart disease.

They can cause or be the consequence of anxiety or even be responsible for syncope, drop blood pressure and give the impression of feeling weak.

In the event of cardiac pathology, complications can appear following palpitations such as a myocardial infarction (= the heart contracts in the event of atrial or ventricular fibrillation), a peripheral embolism (= formation of clot or of a cardiac cavity) or even cardiac arrest which can lead to death.

To avoid palpitations, it is advisable to avoid stress, to reduce your consumption of caffeine and tobacco.

Some natural health products like hawthorn can be prescribed on the advice of a doctor for mild heart conditions, as well as homeopathy.

If certain drugs cause palpitations, do not hesitate to consult your doctor to change or adapt your treatment.

Finally, consult a doctor to diagnose a possible disease such as high blood pressure or anemia.