Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations are a sensation that your heart is beating abnormally. Though not always a serious health concern, you shouldn’t ignore heart palpitations. At Makam Medical in Anaheim, California, Arjun Makam, DO, and his team have a full suite of monitoring capabilities to diagnose heart palpitations and determine the severity of your condition. To find out what’s causing your heart palpitations, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What are heart palpitations?

When you have heart palpitations, it feels like your heart is pounding, racing, or skipping beats. You may feel the sensation in your chest, neck, or throat. 

You can also have the sensation when at rest or when engaging in physical activities. Heart palpitations aren’t usually a serious health concern. However, it’s not a symptom you should ignore.

Dr. Makam and his team at Makam Medical have a full suite of monitoring devices that help find the cause of your arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) so they can provide the appropriate treatment.

What causes heart palpitations?

You can develop heart palpitations from any number of causes. Some are less serious than others. For example, stress and anxiety may cause your heart to pound in your chest. You may also develop heart palpitations after an intense workout.

Other causes of heart palpitations include:

• Dehydration
• Low blood sugar
• Anemia
• Use of certain medications
• Alcohol
• Nicotine
• Caffeine
• Heart arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation (AFib)

In some instances, the cause is unknown. 

What types of tests do I need for heart palpitations?

When you visit Makam Medical for a heart palpitation workup, the team does a thorough history and physical exam to determine what tests you might need to determine the cause of your irregular heartbeat.

Testing might include:

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An EKG is a test that measures your heart’s electrical activity, dictating the rhythm of your heartbeat.

Stress test

A stress test measures heart function when it’s pumping harder. You may exercise on a treadmill or be given medication to increase your heart rate. 

Echocardiogram (echo)

An echocardiogram is an imaging test that uses ultrasound technology to see the structure and function of your heart. 

Holter monitor

A Holter monitor is a portable EKG that monitors the rhythm of your heartbeat over an extended period of time.

The tools available at Makam Medical help the team quickly determine the severity of your heart palpitations.

What are the treatments for heart palpitations?

The team customizes your heart palpitation treatment plan based on the cause. In most cases, no treatment is necessary. If your irregular heartbeat is due to a heart condition, the team provides medication to treat the underlying cause. 

To find out the cause of your heart palpitations, call Makam Medical or schedule an appointment online today.