Palpitations or heart palpitations are conditions that can be experienced by anyone, both children and adults. Although this condition is generally not dangerous, you still need to be aware of the possibility of a serious illness that triggers complaints of palpitations.
Various Causes of Palpitations
There are several factors that can cause palpitations, namely:
1. Psychological
Some of the psychological factors that trigger the onset of palpitations include:
- Worry
- Afraid
- Stress or depression
- Panic attack
2. Lifestyle
Some lifestyle factors that trigger palpitations include:
- Smoke
- Sports or strenuous physical activity
- Consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages
- Consumption of heavy foods that are rich in carbohydrates, sugars, and fats
- Consumption of foods high in MSG, nitrates, and sodium
- Drug abuse
3. Medicine
Examples of drugs that can trigger palpitations are:
- Medicines containing pseudoephedrine
- Asthma medicine
- Antihypertensive drugs
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressant drugs
- Diet pills and herbal supplements
4. Health conditions
Examples of health conditions that can trigger palpitations include:
- Dehydration
- Anemia
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Low blood sugar level
- Hyperthyroid disease
- Heart disease, such as heart failure, heart valve disease, heart muscle disorders, and heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias)
- History of heart attack or heart surgery
In addition to the various factors above, palpitations can also occur due to certain conditions, such as hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
How to Overcome Palpitations
Palpitations are treated depending on the underlying cause. Here are some simple things you can do at home:
Live a healthy lifestyle
Palpitations triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle can usually be resolved by correcting these bad habits. For example, you may feel palpitations if you consume more coffee than usual. These complaints can improve if you reduce your coffee intake.
Do relaxation
If the palpitations are triggered by psychological factors, such as stress, fear, or depression, you can treat them with relaxation techniques.
Sit in a cross-legged position, then slowly inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat up to 5 times and focus your mind on your inhalation and exhalation.
Avoid stimulants
Patients with palpitations triggered by the use of drugs are advised to stop taking these drugs. If complaints of palpitations are bothersome, consult a doctor so that the dose or type of medicine can be readjusted.
If you do not know the cause of the palpitations, but these complaints are frequent and make you restless or uncomfortable, you need to see a doctor. That way, the cause of the palpitations can be identified and treated appropriately according to your condition.
However, if the palpitations you feel last for a few minutes and are accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, or heaviness in the chest, seek help immediately or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital to get an examination and treatment as soon as possible.
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