Palpitations: What's Happening When You Feel That Flutter?

While many people think a palpitation is the equivalent of a problem with their heart, the true definition of a palpitation is the simply being aware of one's heartbeat whether it be irregular or not. Nearly everyone will feel an irregular beat at one point or another in their lifetime; however those who are aware of these beats occurring on a more consistent basis may have a greater issue that is causing these irregularities.
Many factors can trigger palpitations such as anxiety, adrenaline, hyperthyroidism, vitamin deficiency, over-consumption of alcohol or caffeine, among many other things. When the palpitations seem to be occurring more and more, that's when it's time to see your doctor to make sure the palpitations aren't an indication of something serious.
There are different types of palpitations. A common form is the feeling of fluttering or quivering in the chest, and may extend up into the throat. This fluttering is typically caused by a rapid heart rate, and it is called Tachycardia. Often this occurs when the upper and lower chambers of the heart beat simultaneously, causing an irregularity. Tachycardia can cause beats to reach numbers as high as 200 or more per minute. Another type of irregularity is an extra systole, or a premature beat.
The feeling this typically creates is the feeling of the heart skipping a beat, followed by one large thud of the heart starting back up. These palpitations usually occur only once (Though they may occur throughout the day) rather than tachycardia which can last minutes, or hours. Either of these irregularities can cause other symptoms such as dizziness, tightness in the chest, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath.
The cause of palpitations can be tricky to diagnose because of the numerous factors that cause them, and because it's often unlikely that the person is having symptoms at the exact moment they are in the Doctor's office. Often times palpitations are diagnosed as being caused by anxiety and this can often be the case, however many times it is not and a much larger issue can be overlooked because of misdiagnosis.
There's no need to be afraid however. Simply find yourself a good doctor that is willing to listen to you and do his best to figure out what the problem is. Often your Doctor will have you get a few tests done such as blood work to rule out any deficiencies or thyroid issues, an EKG, and Echocardiogram, and a Holter Monitor. An EKG shows the rhythm of the heartbeat in detail, and Echocardiogram is a 2-D picture of the heart while it's beating, and a Holter Monitor is a device that you are hooked up to for 24 hours. You can wear it home with you, and it will monitor your heart beat and any irregularities for those full 24 hours. The tape is then reviewed to pinpoint any irregularities that occurred during that time period.
Once any serious heart conditions have been ruled out, your Doctor may assure you that your palpitations are benign. If you are young and otherwise healthy they pose no real harm to you other than the discomfort of having them. They do not damage your heart, they will not cause cardiac arrest if they truly are benign, and they won't keep you from any physical activities. It's important to keep track of the palpitations and the triggers that occur around that time that may give an indication to what aggravates your condition.
A number of things such as certain foods, a woman's menstrual cycle, pregnancy, lack of sleep and lack of exercise can all trigger palpitations. There's often a number of things you can do to eliminate these factors whether it be to avoid certain foods that don't always agree with you, make sure you are getting adequate sleep and exercise, or to make sure you are drinking plenty of water. If you keep your body happy and healthy you are less likely to find yourself battling these palpitations.
If you are faced with a bout of them however, there are a few things you can try at home that may or may not work for you in an attempt to stop the palpitations. The Valsalva method involves the act of bearing down as if you are having a bowel movement. Usually the pressure this can cause in your chest can snap the heart back into its normal rhythm. Also plunging your head into a bowl of ice cold water can shock the nervous system enough to regulate your heart rhythm. It has also been found that massaging the carotid artery in the neck, just below the angle in your jaw, can slow heart rate. Check with your doctor before performing any of these processes to ensure you're not at risk for losing consciousness or worsening your situation.