Sometimes referred to as "missing a beat," heart palpitations are abnormal or irregular heartbeats that cause a thumping or fluttering feeling in your chest.The heart rates can be too fast or slow.They can be triggered by stress, exercise, diet, medication, and sometimes a medical condition.Heart palpitations are usually harmless and can be worrisome.It's possible to find the cause and address it in order to reduce palpitations.
Step 1: Take a break.
Some people experience heart palpitations due to physical overexertion or being too active; however, an increased heart rate from exercise or anxiety is not the same as palpitations.Both can happen at the same time, although palpitations are considered to be unusual heart beats.If your palpitations seem to be triggered by exercise, then you need to rest for five to 10 minutes and catch your breath.Change your exercise to something that is less strenuous.Walk instead of jogging.Lift small weights.Instead of doing strokes, tread the water.The resting heart rate is usually between 60 and 100 beats per minute.Below the normal heart beat range, palpitations can occur.
Step 2: Reduce your stress.
The release of too much stress hormones into the bloodstream is a common cause of heart palpitations.If you manage how you respond to stress, you may be able to prevent or reduce palpitations.Stress-relief techniques like yoga, tai chi, deep breathing, visualization, meditation, and biofeedback are helpful for promoting relaxation and better heart health.Ask your local gym, community center, church or health clinic if you can join a yoga or tai chi class.If you practice positive visualization or guided imagery you can lower your heart rate by taking deep breaths.Purchase some relaxing candles and light them in the evening before you go to sleep.It is important to get at least eight hours of sleep per night.A lack of sleep can cause anxiety and heart palpitations.You should remove yourself from arguments.Financial problems should not be the focus.Don't watch scary movies or shows.
Step 3: It's a good idea to avoid consuming stimulants.
Some of the substances that can affect your central nervous system are alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, and cold and cough medicines.If you're having periodic heart palpitations, it's a good idea to consider what you put into your body on a regular basis.Cut back on coffee.Coffee, black and green teas, most soda pop, energy drinks and chocolate are some of the rich sources.Stop smoking.Nicotine from cigarette smoking can increase your resting heart rate and blood pressure.Don't binge drink.Chronic alcoholism tends to cause fluctuations (from too high to too low) due to the fact that alcohol is a depressant rather than a stimulant.Check the ingredients of over-the-counter drugs.Cold and allergy remedies can cause palpitations if they contain pseudoephedrine.
Step 4: Try the Valsalva maneuver.
Vagal maneuvers can be done at home to affect your vagus nerve, which regulates your heart rate.If done correctly, lunge maneuvers can slow your heart rate.The Valsalva technique involves holding your breath and bearing down as if you're having a bowel movement for about 15 to 20 seconds.The Valsalva technique can be used to change the rhythm of electrical impulses in your heart.If you have heart disease or are advanced in age, you shouldn't do the Valsalva maneuver.
Step 5: Your diving reflexes need to be activated.
When your head gets cold for a few seconds, your heart rate slows down to help you survive in the cold water.For about 10 seconds, place a cold water or ice pack against your face.Your heart rate and palpitations should decrease very quickly.You can submerge your head or face in cold water.Put a wet face cloth in the freezer for 30 minutes.If you want to cool the hard palate of your upper mouth, you can drink a glass of very cold water.Vagal maneuvers are easy to do, but should be done as soon as you realize you're having a problem.vagal maneuvers can cause dizziness and fainting, so do not attempt them while standing.
Step 6: Try coughing a lot.
You can try coughing and clearing your throat multiple times in order to move your vagus nerve.The same effects as bearing down are created by coughing, but some people may find it easier to perform.A single, light cough won't likely cause a vagal response when coughing.If you're drinking or eating food, make sure to swallow it completely.If you're not sure, ask your doctor for a demonstration.
Step 7: Make an appointment with your doctor.
Sometimes heart palpitations can be caused by heart disease.Make an appointment with your doctor to have your heart checked out if you're experiencing regular palpitations for more than a few days.It is possible to cause palpitations by something as simple as stress, but they could also be signs of an irregular heart rhythm, which is a huge risk factor for having a stroke.Your doctor will perform a physical exam, check your heart rate and use a stethoscope.Your doctor will probably order an electrocardiogram to check your heart's electrical activity.If your EKG results are normal, you can have a medical condition that causes palpitations.You may get a referral to a heart specialist and be told to wear a Holter or event monitor, which records your heart electrical activity for up to 48 hours.
Step 8: Discuss the drug side effects with your doctor.
When medications are combined, they can cause a racing heart and/or palpitations.Anti-arrhythmic drugs used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, digitalis, asthma medications, thyroid drugs, steroid therapy and most cold/cough remedies cause faster heart rates.Ask your doctor if your medication can cause palpitations.It's impossible to predict how many drugs will interact with each other in your body, so read the list of side effects carefully.If you suspect a drug is causing your palpitations, don't stop taking it without the supervision of your doctor, it may cause you worse symptoms.If you want to wean yourself off a drug, you should switch to another one with similar actions.
Step 9: Ask your doctor about the drugs you are taking.
Most cases of palpitations are harmless and either stop or go away on their own, but sometimes medication is needed.Potential causes of palpitations include cardiomyopathy, myocarditis and heart valve disease.Anti-arrhythmic medications quickly reduce arrhythmias.Along with anti-arrhythmics, there are other medications that may be prescribed, such as calcium channel blockers.People with the most common type of arrhythmia may be treated with blood-thinning medicines to prevent blood clot.