Dangers of a Jumping
Heart
July 25, 2005
It is time to visit the doctor when the heart starts
jumping around the chest, skips a beat, pounds, flutters
or races abnormally. These are signs of palpitations
- the sensation of a rapidly or irregularly beating
heart. Cardiologist and Professor of Pharmacology, Kiran
Bhagat, says that palpitations is a big problem affecting
up to 12 patients he sees daily.
He says that heavy periods resulting in loss of a lot
of blood cause anaemia and palpitations women. Hence
medical practitioners should have a proper history of
a patient, finding out what the monthly periods are
like; whether one takes weight
loss pills, coffee or tea.
Palpitations can lead to a stroke if one does not seek
medical attention. Bhagat says he has seen the condition
in 14 and 15 year olds in Botswana. These are usually
unnoticed and the youngsters can sometimes be accused
of seeking attention.
Palpitations are curable. They can be reduced with drugs
and iron supplements if one is anaemic. An elderly woman
who has this condition says that her heart sometimes
feels like it is pulled off the hook.
However, she cautions that not all palpitations are
the same for everyone. She says that even running and
walking up the steps could lead to palpitations in healthy
people. She has noticed that even lying down flat, changing
sleeping
positions or just the normal daily activities can
cause palpitations. She disclosed that normally people
with heart conditions have to be propped up when sleeping.
“I don’t exercise properly and have gained
some weight. There is also the age factor,” says
the 70 year-old. She says for 22 years, the right side
of her heart was enlarged and nothing was done. Instead
her blood pressure was controlled by treatment. She
coughed because the blood supply from the lungs to the
heart was not enough.
She says it was only last year that the doctor treated
her. Her doctor has referred her to the specialists
who will examine her heart and find out if she needs
a pacemaker. The Temple University Hospital website
has revealed that palpitations can occur when one’s
heart is overwoked. The heartbeat becomes irregular
or rapid when one has just exercised, has a fever or
is feeling anxious.
At these times, the heart may pump faster or increase
the amount of blood it pumps with each beat. However,
there are other medical conditions that cause palpitations
that include anaemia, anxiety, some thyroid problems,
hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or a mild deformity of
one of the heart valves.
A very common cause of palpitations is overuse of
stimulants, including caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas),
nicotine, diet pills and medications such as decongestants.
Accidental overdose of some medicines can also cause
palpitations, the website says.
Occasionally, people experiencing palpitations might
feel light-headed or short of breath. “The best
way to prevent palpitations is to avoid overuse of stimulants,
such as cigarettes or caffeine-containing coffee, tea
or soda,” the website says.
Source: http://www.mmegi.bw
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