5 Different Types of Heart Disease
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How to Get to the Root of Your Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are a common sensation where your heart feels like it's racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping beats. The episodes can happen when you’re active or resting, and you might feel them in your chest or your throat.
Palpitations can be unsettling, and it’s normal to want to know what’s behind them. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in heart care, and we’re here to help you get to the root of your heart palpitations.
Most of the time, heart palpitations are harmless — but frequent or severe palpitations warrant a comprehensive evaluation to determine their underlying cause. Here’s what you should know.
Getting a comprehensive evaluation for heart palpitations
At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, we take your heart health seriously. That’s why we follow a systematic approach to diagnose the root cause of your heart palpitations and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Medical history and symptom review
We begin by discussing your medical history and current symptoms. This includes assessing lifestyle factors, like stress levels, exercise routines, and stimulant intake like caffeine or nicotine.
We ask questions about your emotional health and evaluate you for conditions like chronic stress, anxiety, depression, or panic disorders, all of which can contribute to heart palpitations.
Last but not least, we consider any existing medical conditions or known health issues you have. For example, thyroid disorders and anemia can impact heart health, and hormonal changes from pregnancy or menopause can also have an effect.
Diagnostic tests
Based on your initial assessment, Dr. Patel may recommend some diagnostic tests to better understand the potential causes of your heart palpitations. These can include:
- Blood tests to detect preexisting conditions like anemia or thyroid imbalances
- Stress test to evaluate how your heart functions under physical exertion
- Doppler ultrasound to examine blood flow and pressure in your heart's chambers and valves
- Echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart that provides detailed images of its structure and function
These evaluations aim to uncover any underlying conditions contributing to your palpitations. Once we understand what’s behind your heart palpitations, we work with you to address the issue and manage your health.
Understanding common causes and treatments for heart palpitations
Understanding the root cause of any health issue is key for effective treatment, and heart palpitations are no exception. Every case is unique, but some of the most common causes we see are:
Lifestyle factors
Stress, anxiety, excessive caffeine or nicotine intake, and strenuous exercise can all trigger palpitations. In these cases, we often recommend starting by proactively managing stress and reducing stimulant consumption to help alleviate symptoms.
Hormonal changes
Pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid imbalances can lead to palpitations. While pregnancy-related palpitations typically resolve on their own after delivery, addressing these other hormonal factors with medication and lifestyle adjustments can also help reduce palpitations.
Arrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythms may cause palpitations. Treatment options range from medications to procedures like ablation, and treating the arrhythmia often has a positive effect on palpitations.
Medical conditions
Underlying conditions like hyperthyroidism or anemia can contribute to palpitations. Fortunately, by proactively managing the condition itself, you can reduce symptoms like palpitations and improve your overall well-being.
If you're experiencing heart palpitations and you’re concerned about what it might mean for your health, our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute is here for you. Contact us online or call our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, to schedule an evaluation and take proactive steps toward better heart health.
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