Palpitations

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Palpitations (pal-pi-TAY-shuns) are pounding or racing feelings in your heart. You may become suddenly aware of your heartbeat, or feel that your heartbeat is not normal. You may feel skipped beats (pauses), extra beats, a "flip-flopping" sensation, or a flutter in your chest. Palpitations may be frightening, but are usually not a serious problem.
  
  
• Palpitations may be caused by nicotine in cigarettes, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, or exercising too hard. Stress or anxiety may also cause you to have heart palpitations. Sometimes palpitations may be caused by heart problems or certain medicines. Treatment depends on what is causing the palpitations and the symptoms you may have. Living a healthier lifestyle, decreasing stress, and getting plenty of rest may help. Palpitations caused by certain medical problems may need medicines to treat.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him about any medicine allergies, and if you want to quit taking or change your medicine.
  
  
• Medicines to avoid: Some over-the-counter medicines may increase your chance of having heart palpitations. Avoid medications that have epinephrine, ephedrine, or ephedra. Examples of these medicines include cough and cold medicines, asthma medicines, weight loss foods and medicines, and herbal supplements. Talk to your caregiver before using any of these products. Do not use cocaine or other street drugs.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Care advice:

• Keep a record of your symptoms: Use a notebook or calendar to keep track of your palpitations. Write down when they start and stop, what you were doing when they started, and your symptoms. Record anything you ate or drank within a few hours of the start of your palpitations. Write down how you were feeling before the palpitations started. For example, were you stressed or tired? Write down anything that seemed to help your symptoms, such as lying down or holding your breath. This record will help you learn what may trigger your palpitations. Bring this record with you when you see your caregiver.
  
  
• Control other health problems: If you have other illnesses like diabetes, thyroid problems, or high blood pressure, you need to control them. Take medicines as directed.
  
  
• Diet: Eat a healthy variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, and protein (meat, beans, and fish). Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. Avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine. Examples of things that may have caffeine include coffee, some teas, colas, and chocolate. Talk to your caregiver about a weight loss plan if you are overweight. Weighing too much can make your heart work harder and can cause serious health problems.
  
  
• Drinking liquids: Most people should drink six to eight (8-ounce) cups of healthy liquids each day. Follow your caregiver's advice if you must limit the amount of liquid you drink. For most people, healthy liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. Try to drink enough liquid each day, and not just when you feel thirsty. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after hard activity.
  
  
• Exercise: Exercise makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and helps keep you healthy. Begin to exercise slowly and do more as you get stronger. Talk with your primary healthcare provider before you start an exercise program.
  
  
• Do not smoke: Smoking causes lung cancer and other long-term lung diseases. It increases your risk of many cancer types. Smoking also increases your risk of blood vessel disease, heart attack, and vision disorders. Not smoking may help prevent such symptoms as headaches and dizziness for yourself and those around you. Smokers have shorter lifespans than nonsmokers.
  
  
• Manage your stress: Stress may slow healing and lead to illness. Learn ways to control stress, such as relaxation, deep breathing, and music. Talk to someone about things that upset you.

Coping with palpitations:

You may feel scared, confused, or anxious because of your heart palpitations. Call or write the following for more information about heart disease and rhythm problems.

• American Heart Association National Center
  7272 Greenville Avenue
  Dallas , TX 75231-4596
  Phone: 1- 800 - 242-8721
  Web Address: http://www.americanheart.org
  

• Heart Rhythm Society
  1400 K Street NW, Ste 500
  Washington , DC 20005
  Phone: 1- 202 - 464-3400
  Web Address: www.hrsonline.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You are having new symptoms that your caregiver does not know about, or your palpitations get worse.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing while resting.
  
  
• You have new or worsening swelling in your feet or ankles.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your illness or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

Call 9-1-1 or 0 (operator) to get to the nearest hospital or clinic if you have any of the following symptoms. Do not drive yourself.

• Chest pain, tightness, or pressure that lasts more than a minute or two. The discomfort may spread to your shoulders, arms, jaw, neck, or back. The discomfort may be a burning that feels like heartburn.
  
  
• Feeling very short of breath.
  
  
• Feeling faint, or too dizzy to stand up.
  
  
• Sudden onset of weakness or numbness (loss of feeling) in your arms or legs.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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