What causes irritability, restlessness, palpitations, and shortness of breath?

Under normal circumstances, symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, palpitations, and shortness of breath may be caused by hormonal changes, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, cardiac neurosis, or myocarditis. Patients can receive symptomatic treatment based on the specific underlying cause. The detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Hormonal Changes

If a woman is in her menstrual period or suffering from perimenopausal syndrome, hormonal secretion in the body may become imbalanced, leading to significant mood fluctuations, which in turn cause symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Special treatment is usually not required. Symptoms can be relieved through adequate rest, spending more time outdoors, and engaging in appropriate physical or recreational activities.

2. Anxiety

Anxiety is an emotional and psychological state often accompanied by tension, worry, and fear. During anxiety, increased release of adrenaline and other stress hormones accelerates heart rate and breathing, resulting in various reactions including palpitations, irritability, and restlessness. It is recommended that patients communicate with others to help alleviate anxious feelings.

3. Hyperthyroidism

This condition is primarily caused by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones, leading to thyrotoxicosis. Excess thyroid hormones accelerate the body's metabolism, making individuals prone to emotional excitability, irritability, and other symptoms, along with discomforts such as palpitations and shortness of breath. Treatment should follow medical advice and may include antithyroid medications such as Propylthiouracil Tablets or Methylthiouracil Tablets.

4. Cardiac Neurosis

This disorder results from dysregulation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems due to various factors, causing cardiovascular discomfort such as palpitations, chest pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. For mild cases, management mainly includes sufficient rest and psychological therapy. For more severe symptoms, anti-anxiety medications may be used under medical guidance, such as Xuefu Zhuyu Pills or Shexiang Baoxin Pills.

5. Myocarditis

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, usually caused by viral infections. When the myocardium is affected by inflammation, its function—including the heart’s ability to pump blood—may be impaired. This can lead to symptoms of heart disease such as palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. Patients may be treated under a doctor’s supervision with medications such as Ribavirin Injection or Adenosine Disodium Triphosphate for Injection.

If any discomfort occurs, it is recommended to promptly visit a hospital for thorough examination, confirm the underlying cause, and begin appropriate treatment.