What causes irregular heart beat? – Learn about heart disease.
Here’s another question I asked Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane and her answer about causes irregular heart beat.
Lisa Nelson: What do you recommend for individuals experiencing heart palpitations and what may be triggering the problem?
Dr. Shelby-Lane: Arrhythmias are any deviations in the normal rhythm of the heart (heartbeat). They usually occur as a result of interference with the electrical pathways that produce the heart’s rhythmic muscular contractions. The Parasympathetic Nervous System is responsible for slowing down the heartbeat rate. The Beta-1 Adrenergic Receptors of the Beta-Adrenergic Nervous System are responsible for speeding up the heartbeat rate.
If you experience the following symptoms, you may need to be evaluated for toxicity and consider a stress test, echocardiogram, holter monitor or a tilt table test for further evaluation and diagnosis. A neurologic evaluation may also be indicated.
Fluttering or pounding in the heart
Hemodynamic disturbances are potentially life-threatening such as bradycardia and tachycardia
Dizziness
Syncope (fainting)
Unusual awareness of the heart
Anxiety
Abnormal ECG (provides a “one-shot” picture of the electrical activity of the heart)
Holter 24-hour monitoring results (Holter monitors look at the heart for a longer period of time and are necessary to detect intermittent rhythm problems.
Possible Causes Irregular Heart Beat, Contributing or Associated Factors
1. Coronary artery disease
2. Hypertension
3. Adverse drug reactions
4. Endocrine imbalances, especially thyroid or adrenal disorders
5. Myocardial tissue disease (valvular, atrial and ventricular abnormalities)
6. Sequela of rheumatic fever
7. Metabolic disorders
8. Nutritional deficiencies, especially magnesium
9. Caffeine
10. Environmental toxins or food allergies
11. Damaged conductive tissue (neurocardiogenic syncope)
12. toxicities
13. anxiety and stress disorders, etc.
Follow up diagnostic testing is recommended to determine if the above conditions are causing the problem.
Heart disturbances can occur as a symptom of magnesium deficiency: Measuring your red blood cell magnesium can give you a good idea of your actual magnesium level.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips
Hi Lisa
Thanks for all your help and information. I am now taking a magnesium daily supplement and feel this will definately help me with my irregular heartbeats. Thank you again.
I experienced some heart rhythm problems with microzide for lowering mildly high blood pressure. At first it was just little things once in awhile, like little flutters. Then about four years later, I had a scary rapid heartbeat attack and got off the microzide right away. Now I am on micardis and doing just fine. My potassium level always ranged normal. Have you known that hydrochlorothiazide can cause rapid heart beat? My friends had to stop the same medicine for the same reason–irregular or rapid heartbeat.
Hi Martha,
Yes, hydrochlorothiazide can cause electrolyte imbalances and may lead to irregular heart beats or a weak heart beat.
Glad to know you’ve found a medication that is working for you.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
1 have had afib since 1958 .i take alloupinol 2 times aday. 120gr daily.iwill be 74 in june.it keeps my hearth rhythm just fine.
Hi Lisa,
I’ve been having very frequent palpitations of late. I also had a blood test recently and the following things showed:
TSH 0.727 and RDW CV 11.4
Could either or both of these be the problem?
Thanks for any help you might give.
Vicki
Hi Vicki,
Thyroid issues, such as hypothyroidism, can result in heart palpitations. There is some debate in the medical community about what the normal range for TSH should be. I recommend working with your physician for further evaluation and possibly testing to pin point the problem and appropriate treatment.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Health Made Easy
Hi Lisa,
My doctor has been trying to get my bp under control. Ive had side effects from atenol and mlodipine. A coupld of days ago doc put me on hydrocholorathiazide. I have been taking Losartin for a couple of years and needed a second med. After taking I woke up in middle of the night feeling horrible. My blood pressure was 90/60 and my pulse has increased from 65-70 to 85-100. Cld doc and told me to cut pill in half I did and was awaken this am with same syptom. Im now having wierd heart feeling and have trouble catching my breath. My blood pressure is now 117/80 with no meds all day. Still having this strange feeling in my chest from time to time and then am tire. I have an appointment tomorrow. /can water pill cause these symptoms?
Hi Lisa! I got hypothyroidism.and alergy,i take eltroxin and neoclaritin.4 years was kind of ‘ok’ but now at night wok up with heart pain and ones heart stop beat 4 a few seconds I was unconcious as in a dence fog. What could be the reason for that?many thank you for all you advices
Hi Helena,
What a scary sensation that must be! I do not know what may be causing this irregular heart beat and symptoms for you. I recommend being evaluated and discussing with your doctor. . . I’d also explore if it’s a possible side effect linked to your medication.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://lisanelsonrd.com