Suggest Treatment For Severe Heart Palpitations

Posted on Thu, 24 Nov 2016

Question: Hi,

I have been having a fluttering heart ( heart palpatations ) for the past year and it would be very on and off, so when it did come on it would come on for about a week and happen every few hours and then dissapear.

Right now its been on for 3 weeks and past couple of weeks especially it would happen almost every 30-60 min. Now im ill and have food poisoning, at one point it happened every min or two.

Is this serious?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not serious, based on age; some tests needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question. Welcome to HCM. I carefully went through your concern.

Heart palpitations are produced by the phenomenon called extrasystole or, popularly known, the "skipped heart beat". These may be found in any human being under physiological circumstances, such as after strenuous physical activity, in situation characterized with psychological stress, after consuming various beverages that contain caffeine etc. Also, anxiety accompanied with panic attacks, which are characterized by excess adrenalin levels in the circulation, commonly cause extrasystoles. If they are rare and in small number during a day, then I suggest you not to worry about. Also, your young age of 23 years old is reassuring.

While we are at the topic and since this is a worrisome phenomenon to you, I would recommend that you might as well undergo some cardiac tests just to be in the clear that there is nothing to worry about, or, if there eventually something is wrong, the proper treatment to be installed:
- an EKG - to assess the electrical and conduction systems of the heart, as there are known congenital problems that are detected with this test and may indicate of such phenomena
- an echo cardiogram - to evaluate the heart in means of structure, function, motility
- if the episodes are happening often, a 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor, which is basically an EKG spun throughout 24 hours, which helps us see what is the problem, electrically, when you have a palpitation clinically.

I hope I have been of help. I am happy to help, if you have any follow-up questions.

Best regards,
Dr. Meriton

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (17 minutes later)

I have to add i have taken coke on a few ocassions but ive had it even before that. I do have anxiety and stress quiete a bit too. Can this turn in to a heart attack or total heart failure?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
They do not cause heart attack or failure

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and welcome back.

I do not think that the occasional soda (I believe by 'coke' your referring the soda here, if not, please let me know) would explain these phenomena, but stress with increased anxiety and/or panic attacks certainly would be accompanied with extrasystoles in every human being.

Since anxiety is characterized by a spike of adrenalin levels in the circulation which, among others, cause heart rate to increase and extrasystoles to appear. These phenomena do not cause heart attack or congestive heart failuare. Actually, theoretically speaking, it is the other way around: heart attack may cause heart failure, which, if the heart chambers are dilated, may produce extrasystoles. But, this is not your case. I recommend you to proceed and undergo the two tests I suggested in the original answer.

I hope my follow-up was helpful. If you do not have further questions, kindly close the discussion and rate the answer.

Best Regards,
Dr. Meriton

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee