Causes of Palpitations

More severe palpitations can occur in a number of heart conditions. There are two main types, fast regular heartbeats and fast irregular heartbeats.

A fast but regular heartbeat is called Normal Sinus Tachycardia. This is sometimes caused by an increase of adrenaline in the blood. Adrenaline is released into the blood when we are frightened and our body prepares itself for action by pumping more quickly and strongly than normal. This is called the "Fright or Fight" syndrome.

Tachycardia also occurs in those who suffer from an over-active Thyroid or Anaemia or when the temperature is raised during fever.

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) occurs in a normal heart when the electrical activity in the atria upper chambers) becomes more rapid.

This causes the atria to beat more rapidly at a rate between 140-200 beats a minute.

This might feel very uncomfortable but is not dangerous as palpitations are experienced and the patient might feel faint or dizzy. These palpitations can be triggered by some foods or drinks or by an emotional upset.

Some people who have experienced attacks of Supraventricular Tachycardia during their youth, might find that these become less frequent as they grow older.

An attack might be over quickly or last for several hours. Their effect can be reduced by breathing in and then breathing out so strongly that the air passage at the back of the throat is closed. Swallowing something cold such as ice cream or a small piece of ice might also help.

palpitations might be prevented by avoiding anything which seems to trigger an attack. A doctor might prescribe anti-arrhythmic drugs or decide that an Electrocardiogram would be useful in diagnosing the cause of palpitations.

Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular Tachycardia is a condition where beats occur at a rate of about 120-200 beats per minute in the ventricles (the lower chambers). This is often caused by an increase in electrical activity in the ventricles.

It usually happens where the patient already suffers from heart disease. It can also occur in normal hearts. The patient feels faint, breathless and sometimes experiences chest pain. Many attacks are soon over but if they last for several hours medical assistance should be sought as relevant drug-treatment might be needed. An electrocardiogram is used to diagnose the exact cause of such palpitations.

In the most severe cases surgery or catheter treatment might be suggested or an implant put in place to regulate the heartbeat with a small electric shock whenever this type of palpitation occurs.

Atrial Fibrillation

A fast and irregular heart beat, known as Atrial Fibrillation is experienced by about 4% of the population over 65 but some younger people are also affected. It is a very common cause of palpitations and attacks of both Atrial Fibrillation and the associated palpitations can last for a few minutes for several hours or be permanent.

In Atrial Fibrillation the heart beats extremely fast, up to 400 beats a minute. The electrical impulses do not all reach the ventricles and they respond by also beating rapidly and irregularly at about 180 beats a minute. The fast beat and its irregularity causes very unpleasant palpitations. If the beat is extremely fast breathlessness might occur because of the disturbance in the heart's pumping.

Atrial Fibrillation is not dangerous in itself but there is fear that the fast and irregular rhythm of the heart might cause blood clots which, if dislodged, could cause a stroke. Atrial Fibrillation is, thus potentially dangerous and should be treated medically as soon as possible.

Atrial Fibrillation has a number of possible causes such as alcohol, an overactive thyroid gland, some infections and heart disease. Sometimes a cause is not discernible at all.

It can be treated by low-dose aspirin if the attacks are infrequent and the heartbeat is generally normal.

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