Heart palpitations - Together with the doctor to answer the phenomenon

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The article was professionally consulted by a doctor at Cardiology Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Heart palpitations often cause a feeling of palpitations, a pounding heart. Usually a fast heartbeat is cause for concern, but sometimes it's harmless. In rarer situations, tachycardia can be a symptom of serious heart disease, such as an arrhythmia, that requires specialist Cardiology treatment. With Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Truc, Cardiovascular Center of Vinmec Central Park International Hospital, to better explain this phenomenon.

1. Tachycardia Symptoms

Some manifestations of tachycardia:
Anxiety. Short of breath. The heart "vibrates" in the chest. The beat is too fast. This sensation can be felt in the throat, neck or chest area, and can occur with exercise or at rest.

2. When to see a specialist:

Usually this feeling will be infrequent and transient, if only for a few seconds, then no need to see a specialist. If you have a history of heart disease or this tachycardia occurs frequently, or is getting worse, consult a specialist. Your doctor will consider doing laboratory/imaging orders to find the cause of this phenomenon.
Should find out information about hospitals that can provide emergency care right away if the heart palpitations are accompanied by: Angina pectoris. Faint. Difficulty breathing a lot. Dizziness wobbly.

3. Cause

Usually the cause of heart palpitations can't be found right away if you already have tachycardia when you go to the doctor, some common causes:
Strong emotions, stress, anxiety, panic. Depression. Heavy physical exercise. Taking stimulants e.g. caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, cold medicine, cough medicine containing peudoephedrine. Fever. Hormonal changes due to perimenopause, menopause, or pregnancy. Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism. Unintentionally tachycardia can be a sign of a more serious condition such as an arrhythmia, arrhythmia is a specialized term for a state of tachycardia, tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome, or irregular heartbeat.

4. Risk factors

The following are factors that can trigger heart palpitations:
Too much stress. Anxiety disorders or often panic for no reason. Pregnancy. Using medications (stimulants, cold and cough medicines, or asthma/asthma medications). Hyperthyroidism . Arrhythmia, congenital heart, old myocardial infarction, previous heart surgery,...

5. Complications

With the exception of concomitant heart disease, tachycardia usually causes only a few mild complications. For people with heart problems, serious complications are as follows:
Syncope: When the heart beats too fast, there will be a sudden drop in blood pressure causing fainting. Seems to have a serious heart problem eg valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease or tachycardia,... Cardiac arrest : Although rare, a bout of tachycardia can be life-threatening and cause the heart to stop beating. . Stroke: common in atrial fibrillation, easy to form blood clots, causing cerebral embolism Heart failure: Long-term decrease in heart contractile function causing arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation,... ) can cause the above complications.

6. Diagnosis

The specialist will examine and take the history, if necessary The doctor will give blood tests, imaging tests, functional tests to find the cause, some very basic tests:
ECG (Electroelectricity) ECG) : Helps detect regular or irregular heartbeat, syndromes related to arrhythmia. The ECG can be measured when the patient is at rest or during exertion. Holter Electrocardiogram : The hospital will provide a removable device for the patient to wear for 24-72 hours, the heart rate data will be recorded to help detect tachycardia episodes, which the ECG does. limit. Echocardiography: Provides detailed imaging and contractile function of the heart. And other necessary tests (depending on examination).

7. Treatment

If no cause can be found, the specialist rarely prescribes it, but often advises to avoid the causes that trigger the tachycardia (listed above) Specific treatment will be specific to each specific type of heart disease.

8. Health education message

Reduce stress: Relax, exercise, practice breathing,... Avoid stimulants Avoid drugs and addictive substances

9. What to prepare when seeing a doctor?

If you are in an emergency situation (item 3, emergency section), you need to go to the hospital right away
If your heart beats fast for a short time, there are no dangerous signs or symptoms, you need to make an appointment to see a doctor. find cause. The following is the information needed for an appointment with the Doctor:
Fully list the main symptom and also any accompanying symptoms that do not appear to be related to the tachycardia and the time of onset of the above symptoms. Important information: medical history, family history, cardiovascular risk factors: Hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, anxiety, stress or recent changes here in life. All medications, supplements, vitamins being taken and dosages. Questions to ask your doctor. Bring a family member or friend with you to help you remember the information you need to remember.

Usually should ask a doctor: What causes heart palpitations? Are there other causes? What should I do/do if symptoms recur? What test should I do? If treatment is needed, how should I treat it? I have other comorbidities, how can I control more than one condition? Is it too strict that I have to follow all these guidelines? Is the doctor an expert in this field? Does the doctor have any information that I can read to learn more about my illness? Note: From the onset of heart palpitations to the time you see your doctor, you can improve your symptoms by reducing sudden, vigorous exercise, reducing stress, reducing stimulants, and stopping foods. functions, vitamins in use,...

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.