Attention! A common but overlooked problem in our country: Heart palpitations! 10 important underlying causes of heart palpitations!
Heart palpitations , a common problem in our country and negatively impacting quality of life, can lead to serious consequences such as heart failure, stroke, or sudden cardiac arrest. Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kaya Bilge states that heart palpitations are a problem not to be ignored, but that many in our society often dismiss them as temporary. He says, "While some arrhythmias are harmless, they are not solely caused by stress or excitement; they can also have serious underlying causes, such as cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, palpitations should be taken seriously and a specialist arrhythmia center should be consulted. A treatment plan should be personalized for the individual."
Prof. Dr. Bilge emphasizes that many heart palpitations can be permanently controlled with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, and adds that ablation, a modern method in cardiology, is gaining prominence in the treatment of arrhythmias. Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kaya Bilge listed the factors that cause heart palpitations and offered important warnings and recommendations.
"THERE IS PALVATORY WITH SIGNS OF PARALYSIS "Heart palpitations, defined as a faster or more irregular heartbeat than normal, are becoming increasingly common in our country due to genetic factors and the influence of unhealthy lifestyle habits. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kaya Bilge, a cardiologist at Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital, explains that heart palpitations, which can feel like the heart is racing, irregular, skipping, or flapping like a bird's wing, are sometimes accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, easy fatigue, and restlessness. He adds, "The most common conditions requiring urgent evaluation include severe chest pain, fainting, sudden shortness of breath, speech impairment, or palpitations accompanied by signs of paralysis."
Prof. Dr. Bilge emphasizes that people experiencing palpitations should consult a cardiologist rather than self-diagnose, saying, "With early diagnosis and the right treatment, it is possible to both protect heart health and improve quality of life."
Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bilge Kaya lists the most common triggers of heart palpitations as follows:
- Consuming excessive caffeine (tea, coffee, energy drinks)
- Insomnia
- Stress, anxiety
- Alcohol, cigarettes, etc. harmful substances
- Intense exercise
- Anemia
- Thyroid disorders
- Pregnancy
- Some medications and stimulant pills
- Electrolyte imbalances (water and salt imbalance in the body)
Professor Dr. Bilge emphasizes the importance of examination and patient history in diagnosing heart palpitations, saying: “An ECG, captured during palpitations, is the most valuable test. Rhythm monitoring (24-48 hour holder, 7-14 day patch recordings, event recorder, or implantable loop recorder for rare attacks, and smartwatch/phone alerts can be helpful clues, but they alone do not provide a diagnosis), echocardiography, blood tests (thyroid, electrolytes, anemia, etc.), stress test, and, if necessary, further tests should be performed to confirm the type of arrhythmia, determine underlying heart disease, and plan the most appropriate treatment for the individual.”
Prof. Dr. Bilge states that drug treatment for heart arrhythmia, one of the most common causes of heart palpitations, can be sufficient or a temporary solution in some patients. "In some patients, especially those whose palpitations persist despite medications or who are intolerant to them, ablation therapy called 'cardiac catheter ablation' is necessary," he says. "Catheter ablation is an interventional treatment that targets the source of the arrhythmia in the heart and eliminates it with heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryotherapy). It can provide a permanent solution for many arrhythmias." Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kaya Bilge notes that the procedure is performed under sedation, meaning the patient is conscious but does not feel pain. "With this method, radiation exposure is quite low thanks to modern systems and 3D mapping; some procedures can be performed without the use of X-rays. Most patients return to work within 2–3 days, but for complex procedures, the time may be longer. Recurrences of some arrhythmias can occur, and in these cases, re-ablation or medication adjustments may be necessary."
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