Palpitation Symptoms

If palpitations occur only occasionally they are probably not to be worried about. Cutting down on caffeine in tea and coffee and in some soft drinks such as Coca Cola, will help as will avoiding alcohol and some over-the-counter cold remedies which have added caffeine.

If, however, palpitations occur frequently and are debilitating and frightening, a doctor should be seen, as it is possible that there is an abnormality in the heart. Any abnormality is detected by the doctor listening to the heart with a stethoscope, by Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) which makes a graph of the heart's rhythm and/or by the patient wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours or even longer.

These analyses detect the abnormalities. Blood tests will also be taken to detect if an over-active Thyroid gland or anaemia is the cause of the abnormal eartbeat.

If these tests are not sufficient to detect the abnormal heart rhythm adequately a small recording instrument might be implanted under the skin of the chest. This is switched on by the patient each time he/she feels abnormal beats in the heart so that a recording can be made of it.

When all other tests have proved inadequate for the purpose of diagnosis electrode catheters might be inserted through a vein or artery in the groin and moved up into the heart where they can record the regularity of the electric mpulses.

Sinus Tachycardia

A condition known as Sinus Tachycardia occurs when the heartbeat increases to over 100 beats a minute. This frequently happens during vigorous physical activity. Sometimes, it beats faster or more slowly than normal because of ill-health.

This might be when your temperature is raised during a fever, (eg influenza) or as a result of an over-active thyroid gland or anaemia. Sinus Tachycardia does not mean that your heart is diseased.

Athletes sometimes purposely train their hearts to beat very slowly in order to increase their stamina and performance. This condition is known as Bradycardia. It also occurs when you are about to vomit. Occasionally the heart beats so slowly that you feel faint.

Ectoptic beats

At sometime or another most people feel their heart giving an extra beat. This is not at all unusual. These extra beats are called Ectopic beats. They can originate in either the atria (upper chambers) or in the ventricles (lower chambers). They are most common in those who have diseased hearts but many people experience at least one ectopic beat every day without even noticing it.

It might feel like a dull thud in the chest, as if the heart has skipped a beat or as if the heart is beating irregularly for a very short time. Ectopic beats are more noticeable when one is still and quiet and more aware of the heartbeat.

Ectopic beats are not at all dangerous.

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