Treatment for Palpitations
Heart palpitations are characterized by an unusually rapid or abnormal heartbeat that might be accompanied by other symptoms. Causes can range from a variety of physical contributions to sheer anxiety. Your heart contains its own electrical system and these abnormalities may signal a brief short circuit in the system.
Symptoms
- Fluttering, flop or thump in the chest
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
Who is at risk?
Treatment
Many episodes of palpitations are benign and may be addressed by carefully sorting out the potential cause of the irregular beats (such as too many cups of coffee) and then getting rid of that cause. More serious electrical abnormalities may require a very brief electrical shock or medication for correction. You must let a medical professional evaluate whether your palpitation is mild or serious. There are no home treatments for a serious case of irregular heart beat and you may be putting your life at risk by not having it promptly evaluated.
Emergency Warning Signs: When should I see a doctor?
If the patient experiences chest pain, breathing difficulty, weakness or numbness with palpitations or loses consciousness, call 911 immediately. If you experience a brief palpitation that might be related to caffeine, alcohol or medications you’ve ingested, call your primary care physician or come in to Well-Key Urgent Care for evaluation.
TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE NOW AT WELL-KEY URGENT CARE.
For more information on palpitations, see the following websites:
Disclaimer: The links above are to sites independent of Wellkeyhealth.com. The pages will open in a new browser window. The information provided is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding your specific medical questions, treatments, therapies, and other needs.