Heart

Palpitations can be very frightening. But most palpitations do not indicate underlying heart disease. If you are having palpitations, there is a good chance that nothing is seriously wrong. See What are palpitations. So when are palpitations serious? Palpitations could be a reason for concern if they are caused by an underlying heart disorder (such as heart valve […]

Palpitations may occur with changes in the: Heart rate, which is the speed at which the heart beats Heart rhythm, which is the pattern of the heart beats Force of ventricular contraction, which reflects how vigorously the heart is pumping Arrhythmia is the term used to describe irregularities or abnormal patterns of the heart’s pumping cycle.

When you tell your doctor about the palpitations, you will likely be asked a number of questions, such as: How often the palpitations occur How long they last What circumstances bring on the palpitations Whether other symptoms occur with the palpitations. The doctor will then perform a physical examination to look for signs of conditions

In most people, palpitations do not indicate underlying heart disease, and treatment other than reassurance or lifestyle changes is not needed. In some cases, your doctor may discover that your palpitations are due to an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that warrants medical treatment. Several types of treatments are available for palpitations caused by problems with heart rate or

If you experience palpitations, remember that most are not life threatening and are not caused by a serious problem. If your doctor has determined that they are not due to a serious cause, here’s what you can do when they happen. Lie down and try to remain calm. Panic can aggravate the problem. Splash cold

Here are some frequently asked questions related to palpitations. Q: My doctor says I need to take medicine for my palpitations, but I’ve heard that they can have side effects. Should I be concerned? A: Almost all medications have some side effects and that includes antiarrhythmic drugs. Fortunately, most of the side effects of antiarrhythmic drugs

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to palpitations. Palpitations are a sensation that the heart is beating rapidly, slowly, forcefully, or irregularly. The majority of palpitations are not of major significance and are not a sign of underlying heart disease. They are more common as you get older. If your

Here are definitions of medical terms related to palpitations. Adrenaline: One of the chemical messengers in the body that causes the heart to beat faster. Arrhythmia: Any rhythm that is not the normal rhythm of the heart; it may mean a slow or fast heart rate or an irregular rhythm. Arteries: The blood vessels that carry blood away

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on palpitations. Mitral valve prolapse, a deformity of one of the heart’s four valves, is another heart-related cause of palpitations. If your palpitations are due to mitral valve prolapse (MVP), you may want to visit the MVPS Research and Support Web site at http://www.mvpsupport.com, for more

Many factors can contribute to high blood cholesterol levels or cholesterol levels that are out of balance. Some of these factors are within your control, and some are not. To some extent, your genetic make-up determines your cholesterol level. Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which means that very high cholesterol levels run

When we get more cholesterol than we need – either because our body makes too much or because we eat too many cholesterol-rich foods – the surplus cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream. Along with other fat-like substances, certain kinds of this circulating cholesterol tend to deposit in the inner lining of the blood vessels. These