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Heart Palpitation. What Is The Cause?

Posted on Fri, 3 May 2013

Question: Hello - I have been experiencing this funny feeling right in the center of my chest..its the same feeling you get when you are scared or surprised...as if ur heart kinda just jumped for a brief moment....it lasts about a second and then its gone...there is no pain or anything...just never experienced anything like this before

Answered by Dr. Balaji Chinnasami (18 minutes later)

Hi,

Thanks for your query to XXXXXXX

I would like to know more details like:
How long have you been experiencing this problem?
What is the frequency? (How many times a day?)
Tell me more about your past illness?
What drugs you are taking at present?

From the information you provided it looks like you are having palpitations (i.e. awareness of one’s own heartbeat). This could be either due to irregularity in the heart rhythm (arrhythmia) or sudden change in heart rate (fast heart beat).

There are number of causes for palpitations, like drugs we consume, thyroid problem, anxiety, excessive intake of coffee, alcohol, anemia, low Blood pressure, low blood sugar and certain herbal and nutritional supplements.

Since the causes are many if your problem persists, I would advice you to XXXXXXX a physician, so that he can evaluate completely.

Don’t worry, most of the time palpitations often go away on their own. I am happy to answer any further queries in this regard.
Take care,

Dr. Balaji Chinnasami, MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Balaji Chinnasami (8 hours later)

Thank you doctor. In response to your questions:
How long have you been experiencing this problem?
Its been occuring on and off for the past 2-3 days now...

What is the frequency? (How many times a day?)
its random and occurs several times during the day

Tell me more about your past illness?
I had juvenile arthritis when I was 16 but the condition was reversed through homeopathic treatment at the time. I got diagnosed with spondylolysthesis about 10 years back and its under control through physical therapy. I recently got diagnosed with very low vitamin D levels so I am taking 2 tablets referred by my doctor in India - 1 called Tayo (Calcium - 500 mg and Calciferol -1000 IU tablet) and 1 called Hosit (methylcobalamin - 1500mg) . No other medications other than this.

What drugs you are taking at present?

Answered by Dr. Balaji Chinnasami (9 hours later)

Dear Madam,

Thanks for furnishing further details about your illness.

As I said earlier, it appears like palpitation. Since it is happening several times a day, it is always better to get examined by a physician. It is also important to get examined as it is necessary to rule out cardiac abnormalities, if any.

Physician will - examine you completely, check your BP, check your heart rate and if needed an ECG, hemoglobin, thyroid tests etc can be ordered. If everything comes normal, then at least we can be assured that nothing serious is going on.

Till then, avoid taking too much coffee. Keep yourself stress-free by avoiding too much worries. Take good rest.

Don't worry, just consult with a physician. You will be alright soon. If you have any other queries, I will be happy to help you or else close the query and rate it.

Take care
Dr. Balaji Chinnasami

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan