Symptoms and How to Treat Palpitations

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<h1>Symptoms and How to Treat Palpitations</h1><strong> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_bud10.aspx'>bud10</a></strong><br /><p>The heart is a two stage electrical pump. The upper chambers of the heart, the atria, (single=atrium) collect blood from the body and pump it into the lower chambers, or ventricles. There is a little delay for the ventricles to fill, and then they pump the blood out of the heart and back to the body. For this to happen in a coordinated fashion, the heart has its own electrical system Specialized electrical cells imbedded into part of the muscles in the atrium generate the electricity and act as a pacemaker for the heart. About 60-80 times a minute this pacemaker (the sinoatrial or SA node) fires and sends electrical signals to all of the atrial muscle cells allowing them to fire at once, generating the first half of a heart beat. Electricity also travels to the ventricles but is held up for a split second in the junction between the atrium and ventricle at the atrio-ventricular (AV) node to allow the ventricles to fill with blood. The signal then travels through electrical bundles to allow all the muscle cells of the ventricles to fire at once, causing the second half of the heart beat. This pumps blood out to the body. After the heart pumps, there is another split second when the electrical system resets itself to get ready for the next electrical impulse cycle. This allows blood to return and fill the heart, getting ready for the next heartbeat. Types of Palpitations PACs and PVCs Premature atrial contractions (PAC) are just as the name describes. The pacemaker or SA node in the atrium decides to send a signal out before the heart is quite ready, and while it conducts normally and the heart beats, it is felt as a slight flop or thump in the chest. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) If the electrical system in the atrium becomes irritable, it can cause the upper chamber to beat very fast, sometimes 150 beats or more per minute. The AV node senses each beat and sends it to the ventricle which itself responds with a beat. Because the electricity is generated above the ventricle and then passed down, the whole group of disorders is classified as supraventricular tachycardias (supra= above, tachy=fast). Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter occur when all the muscle cells of the atrium start acting like pacemakers and start firing on their own. This barrage of electricity does not allow the atrium to have an organized contraction. Instead, it jiggles like a bowl of Jello. Many of these electrical signals are passed on erratically by the AV node to the ventricle, and it tries to respond as best as possible, leading to a rapid, irregular heart rate. Ventricular Tachycardia and Fibrillation Ventricular tachycardia (V Tach) is a potential life-threatening situation in which the ventricle starts firing quickly on its own. When people have coronary artery disease, the heart muscle can lack enough blood supply and become irritable. The electrical system doesn't tolerate this well and causes this abnormal heart rhythm. This rhythm may or may not allow the ventricle to beat in an organized way. Palpitation Symptoms Palpitations are a symptom in and of themselves. They can be associated with an isolated "skipped beat" sensation or, if the palpitations are prolonged, there can be a feeling of fluttering or fullness in the chest. Sometimes patients describe a marked fullness in their throat associated with shortness of breath, and it may be difficult to decide if the fullness is due to palpitations or due to angina. This is especially so if the palpitations have subsided and are not present when the affected person seeks medical care. Prolonged episodes can be associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and, nausea and vomiting. Some types of heart rhythm problems can cause lightheadedness or even passing out (syncope). Palpitations Treatment Since there are numerous types of palpitations, the treatment is usually specific to the diagnosis. In those people with a yet undiagnosed palpitation, minor lifestyle changes may help minimize symptoms. These include stopping the use of caffeine, alcohol, and OTC cold medications. Patients with palpitations should try to keep a journal of when, where, and what circumstances surround their palpitations. They should learn how to take their pulse and document their pulse rate, whether the palpitations occur in isolation or in a pattern, and what associated symptoms exist, including lightheadedness, nausea, sweating, chest pain, or shortness of breath. It is most important to note whether the heart beat is regular or irregular and whether it is fast or slow.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ayurvedicherbalcure.com/Herbs/arjuna.html">Coronary Artery Disease</a> from swamiramdevmedicines</b><br> <b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.swamiramdevmedicines.com/packages-for-diseases/coronary-artery-disease.htm">Herbal Medicines for Heart Problem</a> from ayurvedicherbalcure</b><p> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Symptoms-and-How-to-Treat-Palpitations_46105.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Symptoms and How to Treat Palpitations_46105.aspx</a></p>

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Keywords : what causes heart palpitations, heart palpitations symptoms, heart palpitations during pregnancy,

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