Palpitations
Palpitations
- Described as an uncomfortable awareness of one’s own heartbeat.
- Occurrence of palpitations does not necessarily mean that an arrhythmia is present; conversely, an arrhythmia can occur without palpitations.
Causes
Cardiac arrhythmias
- Paroxysmal atrial flutter/fibrillation
- Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
- Premature atrial contractions
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Sinus tachycardia
- Premature ventricular contractions
- Ventricular tachycardia
Drug induced
- Alcohol (use or withdrawal)
- Amphetamines
- Anticholinergic agents
- Caffeine, nicotine
- Cardiac glycosides
- Cocaine
- Epinephrine
- Nitrates
High cardiac output states
- Anaemia
- Arteriovenous fistula
- Beriberi
- Fever
- Paget’s disease
- Pregnancy
- Thyrotoxicosis
Cardiac abnormalities
- Atrial myxoma
- Congenital heart disease (atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect)
- Mital valve prolapse
- Pacemaker (function or failure)
- Prosthetic heart valves
- Aortic or mitral regurgitation
Metabolic
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypoglycaemia
- Pheochromocytoma
Psychiatric causes
- Generalised anxiety
- Hypochodriasis
- Major depression
- Panic disorder
Miscellaneous
- Emotional stress
- Hyperventilation
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Scombroid fish poisoning
- Strenuous physical activity
Treatments
- Palpitations has multiple causes as mentioned. Doctors first job is to identify the cause of it and then being treatment. Many causes of palpitations can be treated with homeopathy including cardiac and mental causes. Homeopathy treats the cause from within and completely and helps in reducing these palpitations as well as other symptoms causing due to the disease. It is a gentle and effective science.
Few homeopathic remedies which help in such patients are aconitum napellus, Kali phos, pulsatilla etc.
- Other factors like diet and exercise has to be also considered if the cause demands.