Palpitations, what can you do about it?

1. In some people, the heart rate can speed up or become irregular. Actually, the term 'palpitations' is not the correct name for this. "Arrhythmias" is better. In arrhythmias characterized by an abnormally fast heart rate, relaxation techniques and dietary advice can help. Burning or freezing heart cells is also an option. But many people also benefit from medications known as beta blockers. Beta-blockers slow the heart rate. But for patients with a naturally low heart rate and people with a 'sports heart', it is recommended to start with the lowest possible dose. One can think of tablets of 1.25 mg.

2. In some people, the heart rate can speed up or become irregular. Actually, the term 'palpitations' is not the correct name for this. "Arrhythmias" is better. Relaxation techniques and nutritional advice can help with arrhythmias characterized by an abnormally fast heart rate. Burning or freezing heart cells is also an option. But many people also benefit from medications known as beta blockers. Beta-blockers slow the heart rate. But for patients with a naturally low heart rate and people with a 'sports heart', it is recommended to start with the lowest possible dose. One can think of tablets of 1.25 mg.

Contents

1. What are palpitations How Long Do Palpitations Last? Hyperventilation, stress and other causes of palpitations Hyperventilation and palpitations Complaints and symptoms Diagnosis Treating palpitations with medication Ablation (burning out) or freezing of heart cells What can you do yourself with palpitations? Nutritional advice Postscript

What are palpitations

1. Palpitations is the name for an irregular or abnormally fast heartbeat. Stress and hyperventilation are often associated with this. Palpitations manifest as too fast or irregular rhythm of the heart

How long do palpitations last?

1. Usually palpitations last a few minutes. But in some cases they can last for hours, in extreme cases even days. As a rule, palpitations mean a fast heartbeat. But they can also express themselves in an irregular heartbeat

Diagnosis

1. The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of the patient's story. The doctor will take a pulse and temperature, check the rate of breathing, and measure blood pressure. A trace of the heart (electrocardiogram) may be required to determine the condition of your heart. Can also investigate the functioning of the thyroid gland

Ablation (burning out) or freezing of heart cells

1. Sometimes it is recommended to wear a pacemaker to provide the heart muscle with the correct stimuli. And a treatment technique that is increasingly used is Ablation, in which certain cells in the heart muscle are burned away which are responsible for the incorrect conduction of the heart stimuli. Instead of burning or scorching tissue that causes the unwanted stimuli, cardiac arrhythmias are now successfully tackled with a new, faster technique that has fewer side effects: freezing of heart cells

What can you do yourself with palpitations?

1. When you have an attack of heart palpitations you can't do much yourself. It is best to try not to panic and relax. Stop what you are doing and take a few deep breaths

Nutritional advice

1. Magnesium: As mentioned, a lack of the mineral magnesium can cause palpitations. Magnesium can be found in green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds, bananas, apples and milk and whole grain products. In addition, magnesium also helps reduce stress and nervousness complaints and these types of complaints are often a cause of heart palpitations. Caffeine: Caution is advised with foods that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, chocolate and cola. Sodium and potassium: For the proper functioning of the heart it is important that sodium and potassium are present in a balanced ratio in the body. Together these minerals play an important role in the proper transmission of nerve impulses from muscles, and therefore also from the heart muscle. Too much of one causes a deficiency in the other, making people who eat a lot of salt more likely to get palpitations. Normally people get more than enough sodium (in the form of salt) through food. Therefore, use plenty of foods rich in potassium. Potassium is found in citrus fruits, bananas, raisins, sunflower seeds, grain products, bread and potatoes. Oats: Oat products contain natural soothing agents, so that oatmeal and muesli, for example, are a good breakfast for palpitations as a result of stress. Garlic: can help strengthen the heart and blood vessels.

2. Magnesium: As mentioned, a lack of the mineral magnesium can cause palpitations. Magnesium can be found in green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds, bananas, apples and milk and whole grain products. In addition, magnesium also helps to reduce stress and nervousness complaints and these types of complaints are often a cause of heart palpitations. Caffeine: Caution is advised with foods containing caffeine such as coffee, tea, chocolate and cola. Sodium and potassium: For the proper functioning of the heart it is important that sodium and potassium are present in a balanced ratio in the body. Together these minerals play an important role in the proper transmission of nerve impulses from muscles, and therefore also from the heart muscle. Too much of one causes a deficiency in the other, making people who eat a lot of salt more likely to get palpitations. Normally people get more than enough sodium (in the form of salt) through food. Therefore, use plenty of foods rich in potassium. Potassium is found in citrus fruits, bananas, raisins, sunflower seeds, grain products, bread and potatoes. Oats: Oat products contain natural soothing agents, which makes for example oatmeal and muesli a good breakfast for heart palpitations as a result of stress. Garlic: can help strengthen the heart and blood vessels.

Postscript

1. With this postscript the author wants to supplement his personal experience of heart palpitations. It has been indicated above that the palpitations usually disappear as quickly as they came. In a split second. But it also happens that after doing the right relaxation exercises they slowly drain from the body. A feeling that can perhaps best be compared to an inner tube that slowly deflates. All this takes hardly a second or 10. By the way, these relaxation exercises are done lying down, with the back making good contact with the ground.