Feeling your heart race is a terrifying and unnerving experience. Palpitations, which may be described as a racing, fluttering, or otherwise irregular heartbeat, might make you feel nervous and worried about your cardiovascular health. While mild heart palpitations from time to time aren’t normally cause for concern, they may indicate a more serious health problem. If you feel your heart racing, what is the best course of action?
Stay Calm
First and foremost, try to remain calm. Panicking can exacerbate palpitations and make you feel more anxious. Take slow, deep breaths, and try to relax your body.
Assess your symptoms
Keep track of how long your palpitations last, how often they occur, and how strong they are. Make a mental note of any supplementary symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting. Get medical help right away if you have any other worrying symptoms or if your palpitations don’t go away or become worse.
Take stock of your setting
External causes, including stress, coffee, nicotine, or certain drugs, may sometimes cause palpitations. Think about what may be going on around you that could be triggering your symptoms, and do everything you can to get rid of or at least minimize those things.
Practice relaxation techniques
Because stress and worry can frequently make the symptoms of palpitations worse, in order to help calm both your mind and your body, include relaxation methods into your daily routine. Some examples of these techniques are deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Avoid Stimulants, but drink water
If you suffer from palpitations or an elevated heart rate, you may want to cut down on or quit using stimulants such as tobacco, coffee, and recreational substances. Maintaining proper hydration is important because there are instances when dehydration causes palpitations.
Monitor your symptoms
The use of mobile cardiac telemetry (MCT) has made it possible to monitor heart palpitations in real-time, alerting healthcare practitioners instantly so that they may intervene promptly. It can record the onset and duration of palpitations, as well as any other pertinent facts. Your healthcare professional may use this information to establish a correct diagnosis.
Seek Medical Evaluation
It is essential to see a healthcare provider for examination if you are having palpitations consistently. They may check your vitals, go over your medical history, and suggest tests like an echocardiogram or EKG to see how well your heart is working and if anything is wrong.
Remember, while occasional palpitations are usually harmless, persistent or severe palpitations could be a sign of a more serious issue. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you’re concerned about your heart health. Your health and well-being are worth prioritizing.
