

In people who have diastolic dysfunction (DD), there are problems with the structure and function of the heart-a major risk factor when evaluating whether palpitations are dangerous. Here are six specific examples of when it’s right to worry… 6 Causes of Heart Palpitations that Are Reason for Worry Diastolic Dysfunction What concerned me was when I found internal issues with the heart that could be causing someone’s palpitations, or that could become dangerous if it was combined with palpitations. Instead, I’d start working with them on adopting new habits that could address the problem. If, after I finished my work-up, all of a patient’s risk factors fell into this bucket, I didn’t worry too much about their heart palpitations. The answers to these questions helped me understand whether external issues could be causing the skips, jumps, or flutters. Did their palpitations tend to happen at a certain time? (A heart racing at night was common.).Were they feeling emotions that they didn’t feel they could talk about?.How much stress and anxiety did they have in their lives?.Were they eating too much sugar, caffeine, or other foods that cause palpitations?.I always liked to start by asking patients some questions about their lifestyle: The most important part of evaluating heart palpitations is determining what’s causing them. Heart Palpitation Risk Depends on the Cause But I also saw a lot of people whose palpitations were their bodies’ way of telling them that their heart needed help. In many of those cases, the irregular beats turned out to be 100 percent benign-nothing to worry about. I saw hundreds of patients over the years who were concerned about heart palpitations. Let me tell you, they get your attention! Myself, I’ve had a couple episodes with PVCs ( premature ventricular contractions). But because it affects the heart, it also can be incredibly frightening. Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.N., C.N.S., C.B.T.Īt some point in our lives, most all of us will experience heart fluttering, racing, skipping, or another kind of irregular heartbeat.
