Can palpitations be fatal?
0:18
Dr Syed Ahsan
What are palpitations?
0:25
Can you die from palpitations?
0:45
Dr Syed Ahsan
What causes palpitations?
0:29
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
In this brief video, Dr. Syed Ahsan explains that heart palpitations are caused when you become aware of irregular beats, skipped beats or even your heart stopping completely.
What are the risks of having palpitations?
0:39
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
"So palpitations may represent an abnormal underlying heart rhythm, for example, atrial fibrillation, which can carry some risks such as the risk of stroke. Palpitations may also represent more dangerous rhythms originating from the bottom of the heart, which can lead to fainting or cardiac arrest. It's very unusual for that to be the case, but it can be.
Finally, palpitations is going to be completely benign. So this is the case in most people, and they can be due to things called atrial ectopics, which are extra beats coming from the top of the heart or ventricular ectopics, which are extra beats coming from the bottom of the heart. And they are not dangerous, but can be symptomatic."
How does coffee cause palpitations?
0:36
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan explains that coffee causes palpitations because it contains caffeine, which is a stimulant.
What are the diagnostic tests for heart palpitations?
0:57
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan lists some of the diagnostic tests for heart palpitations, including ECGs, echo cardiograms, treadmill tests, and heart monitoring.
Do palpitations need treatment?
0:32
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr. Syed Ahsan advises that though most people do not need to seek treatment for their heart palpitations, minor lifestyle changes can reduce their occurrence. In some cases they are a symptom of an underlying issue, and should be discussed with your GP.
What are the risks associated with palpitations?
0:28
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr. Syed Ahsan, Consultant Cardiologist at Bart’s Heart Centre, explains that the risks associated with heart palpitations are dependent on your specific symptoms, health profile and ECG results.
How can I prevent heart palpitations?
0:37
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan lists some of things that you can do to prevent heart palpitations, including limiting your use of caffeine, quitting smoking, and doing Valsalva manoeuvres that change the pressure in the thoracic cavity.
How can I remove palpitations?
0:55
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
If you want to learn how to prevent heart palpitations caused by ventricular ectopic beats, watch Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Syed Ahsan, as he details what you should avoid: alcohol, caffeine in tea or coffee, a lack of sleep, and a stressful lifestyle.
I’m getting heart palpitations sometimes is that a problem
0:59
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr. Syed Ahsan describes some of the reasons why an individual might experience heart palpitations, including supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). He recommends visiting your GP and/or a specialist in order to correctly diagnose the underlying cause.
What are palpitations?
0:38
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan, renowned London Consultant Cardiologist, explains that heart palpitations are a symptom of being aware of your own heart beating, and can indicate a wide variety of issues.
Video Transcript
Palpitations are a symptom of you being aware of your heart beating. This can be a fast regular racing of your heartbeat, or extra beats, skipped beats, or even a sensation of your heart stopping. So, it encompasses a whole variety of different types of symptoms, but palpitations is that feeling.