Palpitations

Comprehensive Guide – Palpitations – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Palpitations Introduction

Heart palpitations is a condition where the patient feels that the heart is beating fast, fluttering and pounding. Palpitations could be triggered due to acute or chronic stress, extreme exercising, or medications. Though heart palpitations themselves are not worrisome but if they are happening often and for a long period of time then they could be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).

Dr. Nithin Annarapu of Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad, has a keen eye and provides excellent treatments for any heart related complications. He thoroughly diagnoses the cause of palpitations and treats the patient with the right approach.

Understanding Palpitations

Palpitations is a condition where the patient experiences rapid or an irregular heartbeat in the chest, throat, or neck. The duration of these sensations could be a few seconds to several minutes. For some palpitations are triggered while resting as well and more frequently they are experienced during an activity. Palpitations are categorised as follows:

• Benign or Harmless palpitations triggered due to excess caffeine, stress, or dehydration.
• Cardiac related palpitations could be a sign of arrhythmias, heart disease, or structural abnormalities.
• Electrolyte imbalances anaemia or excess physical activity could also trigger palpitations.

What are the symptoms of palpitations?

Palpitations is a condition characterised by an irregular, fast, or fluttering heartbeat. The symptoms of palpitations are:

• Pounding or a forceful heartbeat.
• Missed heart beats or an irregular heart rhythm.
• The heart rate increases and the person feels a pounding heartbeat even after minor activities.
• Fainting or feeling of dizziness
• This comfort in the chest is accompanied by shortness of breath.

Please note that if the palpitations are not reducing on their own or you are feeling light headed and tightness in the chest please get medical care immediately.

What are the causes for Palpitations?

There are a varied factors for heart palpitations so a particular cause cannot be pinned down, still the most common causes could be:

• Acute or chronic stress, anxiety or panic attacks
• Strenuous exercise or workout for long periods
• Excessive usage of caffeine, nicotine, cocaine
• Uncontrolled high fevers
• Women might face palpitations during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause
• Hyper or Hypothyroidism
• An underlying heart condition such as irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

Risk factors for palpitations

The risk factors for heart palpitations are the same as that if any heart related complications such as:

• Uncontrolled Stress, Untreated Anxiety or panic attacks
• Pregnancy, menopause or menstruation
• Certain cold or asthma medications that contain stimulants.
• Hyperthyroidism
• Existing heart conditions

What are the complications due to palpitations?

For palpitations resulting from an underlying hard condition the complications would be as follows:

• Fainting: Rapid heartbeat during palpitations lowers the blood pressure, causing the person to faint.
• Stroke: If palpitations were triggered due to the quivering of the upper chambers of the heart instead of beating properly (atrial fibrillation), blood clots could form. If one or more of these clots breaks loose, it can cause a stroke since the loose clots can block a brain artery.

Prevention Tips for Palpitations

Preventing palpitations involves adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and avoiding known triggers. While occasional palpitations are harmless, frequent episodes may indicate an underlying issue that requires medical attention.

• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine intake.
• Stay hydrated and maintain electrolyte balance.
• Practice relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga.
• Exercise regularly but avoid overexertion.
• Get enough sleep and manage stress levels.

How are Palpitations diagnosed?

Diagnoses for palpitations, starts off with a physical examination where the expert doctor like Dr.Nithin Annarapu will listen to your heart using a stethoscope. The cardiologist will also inquire about your medical history. If the palpitations are caused by a heart condition, the following tests are conducted:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) where the electrical activity of the heart is measured.
• Holter monitoring records the heart’s rate and rhythm during daily activities. The patient has to wear a portable ECG device for a day or more. Holter monitoring can detect heart palpitations that were missed during the ECG exam.
• Event recording records the event when palpitations occur. The patient has to wear an event record for a minimum of 30 days and whenever palpitations occur they have to press a button.
• Echocardiogram uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart in motion.

What are the treatments for Palpitations at Isha Speciality Clinics?

In most cases treatment for palpitations is given when the cause is heart related. For non heart related palpitations the cardiologist might recommend avoiding the triggers that cause palpitations.

For heart related palpitations treatment is given to the underlying heart condition due to which palpitations will be automatically controlled. But whatever maybe the reason the following self care techniques will help in controlling palpitations:

• Reduce stress levels by adopting relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing.
• Cutting down on stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and energy drinks can reduce palpitations.
• Quit illegal drug usage.

About Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad

Isha Specialty Clinic is the best Hospital in Manikonda for your heart care and child care. For all your heart related care we are a one stop solution. Our expert team of doctors and state of the art labs offer you comprehensive heart care services. When you visit us you will experience the best paediatric care, children nutrition advice and best cardiologist treatment in Hyderabad. Isha Specialty clinics are located at various convenient locations in Hyderabad such as Manikonda, Gachibowli, Banjara Hills and Toli Chowki, Mehdipatnam, Narsingi, Alkapur township.

Our expert team of doctors

Dr. Nithin Annarapu – MBBS, MD – General Medicine, DM – Cardiology

Dr. Nithin Annarapu has more than a decade of heart care experience. 18 Years Experience Overall (12 years as heart specialist). Dr. Nithin Annarapu Annarapu is an Interventional Cardiologist in Manikonda Hyderabad and has an experience of 18 years in heart treatment, surgeries and cardiac procedures. He has saved many lives with his excellent treatments for palpitations which are heart related. Dr. Nithin Annarapu is practicing at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, near Gachibowli in Hyderabad. He completed MBBS from Siddhartha Medical College & Research in 2002, MD – General Medicine from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad in 2006 and DM – Cardiology from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad in 2010.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty – MBBS (Osmania), MD (Niloufer) – Child and Newborn Specialist (Paediatric Doctor)

Dr. Swathy Talishetty is a top rated child care specialist. Dr.Swathy is an alumnus of Osmania Medical College where she completed her MBBS in 2007 and later on pursued her MD in Pediatrics from Niloufer Hospital in 2012. Dr Talishetty Swathi has specialized in:-

• Newborn and infant care
• Immunization
• Growth and development monitoring
• Preterm baby management
• Childhood overweight management.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty’s compassionate approach, combined with her in-depth knowledge of pediatric nutrition, enables her to offer comprehensive care that addresses both medical and nutritional needs of children, ensuring their healthy growth and development. Get children treatment and pediatric nutrition consultation with Dr. Swathy Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, nearby Gachibowli and Narsingi areas in Hyderabad.

Major Treatments at Isha Speciality Clinics

Heart treatment

• Mitral valve replacement surgery
• Heart valve replacement and repair
• Coronary Angioplasty
• Coronary Angiogram
• Cardiac catheterization
• Angioplasty

Pain treatment

• Thoracic epidural injections
• Cervical epidural injections
• Intraarticular joint injections
• Nerve Block
• Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy
• Lumbar Epidural Injections

Pediatric Care

• Newborn and infant care
• Immunization
• Growth and development monitoring
• Preterm baby management
• Childhood overweight management.

For guidance and check-ups, call 96760 70203 today. Our expert cardiologists at Isha Specialty Clinic will guide you with personalized heart care plans.

For expert heart care and heart arrhythmias treatment, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

For emergency care or appointments, contact Isha Heart Clinic, Manikonda – Hyderabad at 96760 7020 Dr. Nithin Annarapu Book an appointment today for expert heart care!