Can palpitations cause myocardial ischemia?
Disease description:
I've been feeling a significant tightness in my chest over the past two days, accompanied by insomnia. After examination, the doctor diagnosed it as palpitations. Can palpitations cause myocardial ischemia?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
Palpitations themselves do not directly cause myocardial ischemia, but there is indeed an association between the two. Palpitations typically manifest as abnormal sensations of heartbeat, such as rapid, forceful, or irregular beating, and may result from various factors including emotional fluctuations, intense physical activity, medication side effects, or underlying heart conditions. Myocardial ischemia, on the other hand, occurs when there is insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle, leading to oxygen deficiency and impaired energy metabolism in the myocardium. Although palpitations do not directly trigger myocardial ischemia, myocardial ischemia can provoke palpitations. When blood flow to the heart is inadequate, the heart may compensate by increasing its rate of contraction. Therefore, when elderly individuals experience palpitations, possible myocardial ischemia should be considered, and timely medical evaluation and treatment are essential.
