How to relieve symptoms of palpitations
Apr 24, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Palpitations may be immediately relieved by symptomatic management such as rest or carotid sinus massage. Palpitations can be caused by various conditions including arrhythmias, hypoglycemia, and others; therefore, relief methods vary depending on the underlying cause. Due to the wide range of possible causes, individuals experiencing this symptom should seek timely medical attention and follow appropriate management under a physician's guidance to avoid delaying treatment.
Palpitations can be caused by various conditions such as arrhythmias, hypertensive heart disease, hypoglycemia, and others. The relief methods vary depending on the underlying cause. Specifically:
1. Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias can lead to symptoms including palpitations, chest tightness, fatigue, and dizziness. Common types include atrial premature beats, ventricular tachycardia, and atrioventricular block. Treatment may involve medications that control heart rate, such as oral metoprolol tartrate or bisoprolol fumarate. In some cases, radiofrequency ablation surgery may be necessary. For bradyarrhythmias, pacemaker therapy may be considered.
2. Hypertensive Heart Disease
Patients often experience symptoms such as dizziness, headache, chest tightness, and palpitations. Some may also develop chest pain or angina. Management involves addressing contributing factors—such as weight reduction and reduced sodium intake—and using medications like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), for example, captopril, enalapril, or losartan.
3. Hypoglycemia
Clinical manifestations of hypoglycemic episodes may include palpitations, sweating, and hand tremors. Symptoms can usually be relieved quickly by consuming candy or drinking sugary water.
In addition to the above, palpitations may also be triggered by acute myocardial ischemia, heart failure, and other conditions. Patients with myocardial ischemia may relieve symptoms within minutes by sublingual administration of nitroglycerin. Because there are many possible causes, individuals experiencing palpitations should seek timely medical evaluation and follow professional guidance for appropriate management to avoid delays in treatment. Even healthy individuals may experience palpitations due to poor rest, emotional excitement, or consumption of strong tea or coffee; these symptoms can often be alleviated through deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and lifestyle improvements.
