Heart Palpitations: What They Mean and When to Seek Help
Understanding Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations is a general term that can mean a lot of things but it essentially comes down to a feeling that your heart is beating unusually fast, too slow, or irregularly.
Common Types of Heart Palpitations
There are many different types of heart palpitations, each with its own unique symptoms and causes:
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that begin in one of the heart's two lower chambers (ventricles).
- A heart arrhythmia is an irregular or abnormal heartbeat. There are many different types of arrhythmias, each with its own unique symptoms and causes.
- Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia that causes the heart's upper chambers (atria) to beat chaotically and irregularly.
- Ventricular fibrillation is a rare but potentially fatal type of arrhythmia that causes the heart's lower chambers (ventricles) to beat rapidly and irregularly, leading to loss of consciousness.
When to Seek Help
Most heart palpitations are not serious and will go away on their own. However, it is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Palpitations that are accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness
- Palpitations that occur frequently or last for a long time
- Palpitations that are associated with other symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, or anxiety
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