Heart palpitations: When to worry
Experiencing heart palpitations can be an unnerving or even frightening experience. That feeling of your heart ‘skipping a beat’ might have you worried about what it might mean. While heart palpitations can be caused by any number of things and they are often harmless, they can at times be a sign of a more serious problem, such as arrythmias.
In this short video, cardiologist Chris Armstrong, MD, spoke about heart palpitations and the signs and symptoms of arrhythmias. He also answered common questions about heart palpitations, including:
- What is a heart palpitation?
- What does a heart palpitation feel like?
- What are some causes of heart palpitations?
- Can anxiety, caffeine or drinking alcohol cause heart palpitations?
- What are some signs that your heart palpitations might be connected to an arrythmia?
- What are arrythmias?
- What are the symptoms of heart arrythmia?
- Why is an arrythmia, like AFib, so dangerous?
- What are the types of arrythmias?
- Can an arrythmia go away on its own?
- Should you seek medical care if you experience an arrythmia?
- How is an arrythmia diagnosed?
- Can a “smart watch” track arrythmias?
- Can heart palpitations be treated?
- Is an arrythmia curable?
- And more
Dr. Armstrong emphasized the importance of speaking to a doctor about testing your heart if you experience heart palpitations, especially if you’ve had the experience more than once. Some tests of heart function can be performed in your primary care physician’s office during a regular appointment, while others might require a referral to a cardiologist.
Either way, keeping your heart healthy is essential, and the best way to do so is to keep up with regular checkups and well-visits and mention any concerns you have to your doctor.
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