When I hear the question from my patients, “How can I tell when a heart palpitations is serious?”, I reassure them that in most cases an early or late heartbeat from the typical
When I hear the question from my patients, “How can I tell when a heart palpitations is serious?”, I reassure them that in most cases an early or late heartbeat from the typical “lub, dub, lub, dub” rhythm is totally normal, especially as you age.
Possible Causes of Heart Palpitations
The heart is mechanical and can sometimes be a little out of whack, especially if you aren’t sleeping well, are drinking too much coffee or alcohol, are dehydrated, or feel stressed. In those cases, if you avoid alcohol, cut back on caffeine, drink more water, get more sleep, and practice yoga or meditation, you should see the heart palpitations disappear—but be sure to tell your physician at your next physical or appointment.
When To See the Doctor or Visit the ER
If your heart races for more than 30 or 60 seconds and you also feel dizzy, lightheaded, and have chest pain or shortness of breath, see your doctor or visit the local ER. For patients with palpitations but no associated symptoms, Dr. Woolery-Llody has them do an electrocardiogram (EKG) and puts them on a heart monitor for 48 hours to verify the abnormal rhythm.
What To Do If There Is An Abnormal Rhythm
If there is an abnormal rhythm, I would recommend an echocardiogram or a stress test to look for blockages. Either the problem is just extra beats or there are no blockages, I might prescribe beta blockers. If the problem is more involved, your doctor may recommend further steps to determine the proper treatment.
