Heart palpitations and other symptoms: shortness of breath, fear, pain, weakness

The state of tachycardia, or strong heartbeat, is not yet a disease, but already one of the signs of possible dysfunction of the cardiovascular system or other body systems. Is this condition dangerous?

The normal heartbeat per minute for an adult varies between 60-80 times. We can talk about a strong heartbeat if this number exceeds 90-100 beats. Intensive cardiac activity over a long period of time accelerates muscle wear and tear, provokes hypoxia: because of this, for example, with tachycardia of more than 150 beats per minute, a person may experience dizziness and even fainting.

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Causes palpitations

The myocardium has the so-called sinus node, which controls the contractile rhythm. The node always "responds" to all irritating factors - external or internal. It is thanks to it that the heart begins to work more actively against the background of increased anxiety, stress, fever or hypertension, physical overload, shock, etc.

With certain disorders, the node can "make a mistake", causing tachycardia, seemingly "out of the blue". However, not everything is so simple, and there are always reasons for tachycardia: the main thing is to detect and eliminate them in a timely manner.

For example, a strong heartbeat during exercise, when walking for an untrained person is normal, but for an athlete it is a reason to think about the state of his health. Perhaps the body just needs a rest from frequent and exhausting training.

Other possible causes of sinus palpitations include:

• magnesium or potassium deficiency;
• chronic lack of sleep, prolonged lack of rest, overload of the body;
• prolonged stress, deep depression;
• acute intoxication, infections, injuries.

In paroxysmal rapid heartbeat, the failure occurs in the atrium or ventricles: the causes of this condition are often directly rooted in cardiac pathologies. Many patients eventually develop sclerosis, atrophic changes in the myocardium, myocarditis, ischemic heart disease, defects, infarction, etc.

The supraventricular type of tachycardia indicates that the cause should be sought in the sympathetic division of the nervous system.

A strong heartbeat after alcohol, with a hangover can be disturbing for a number of reasons:

• severe intoxication;
• dehydration;
• increased load on the cardiovascular system;
• oxygen starvation.

One can imagine how many resources the body spends trying to recover after a "wild party". Of course, the myocardium is overloaded, and to ease its work, it is necessary to urgently carry out detoxification therapy and rehydration.

Dehydration can also be associated with a strong heartbeat in the heat: this is why experts strongly advise drinking more pure water in hot weather (coffee and tea are not suitable, as they have a diuretic property). Water should be taken with you on a walk, even if you are going to walk for a short time and not far.

But when you are worried, a strong heartbeat is justified, because any degree of stress is an irritant for the sinus node. But here too, you need to be careful: a long period of anxiety or excessively deep experiences can significantly disrupt cardiac function and provoke the development of pathologies.

A strong heartbeat at rest is an unfavorable sign that may indicate the following problems:

• vegetative-vascular disorders;
• myocardial ischemia;
• endocrine disorders;
• problems in the sympathetic nervous system.

A strong heartbeat after eating is a sign of overeating, overload of the digestive tract, endocrine diseases, pathologies of the pancreas. Something similar also happens with diabetes, increased blood sugar levels. The exact cause should be announced by the doctor after performing the necessary diagnostic procedures.

In recent years, the diagnosis of vegetative-vascular dystonia has become especially common among young people. This is a symptom complex that is formed against the background of impaired function of the autonomic nervous system. Strong heartbeat with VSD is only one of the symptoms of the symptom complex. Other signs may include:

• panic states;
• dyspnea;
• meteorological sensitivity;
• frequent headaches;
• mood swings;
• cold extremities.

The work of the autonomic nervous system is closely connected with the state of hormonal balance in the body. Therefore, functional failures often occur in women on certain days of the monthly cycle, during pregnancy or menopause. Strong heartbeat during menstruation is not considered a pathology, however, it will not be superfluous to make additional diagnostics and check the state of the hormonal background.

And a strong heartbeat during menopause is even considered one of the main signs of hormonal changes, along with "hot flashes", dizziness attacks and other characteristic symptoms. Such a picture indicates a decrease in estrogenic activity.

Another possible cause of discomfort in the heart area is taking certain medications:

• β-blockers;
• Reserpine or clonidine;
• cardiac glycosides;
• adrenergic agonists, psychostimulants.

It is also known which drug greatly reduces the heartbeat. We are talking about opiates - narcotic drugs that have a sedative, "inhibitory" effect. This category includes natural and synthetic morphine-like substances: heroin, opium (acetylated, raw), methadone. Other narcotic drugs - for example, amphetamines, cocaine, hallucinogens, ecstasy - usually cause an increase in heart rate.

Risk factors

A strong heartbeat can be provoked by many reasons. In order to prevent the development of pathologies, specialists have identified a number of factors that each of us should know about:

• Eating disorders.

It is important to pay attention not only to how much food is consumed, but also to the quality of the food.

• High cholesterol, hyperlipidemia.

It is necessary to have blood tests regularly to assess the level of cholesterol in the blood.

• Overweight, obesity.

It is necessary to control your body weight: excess weight is an additional burden on the cardiovascular system.

• Hypodynamia.

Low physical activity is a very negative factor for the heart and blood vessels, so you need to do exercises and go for walks regularly.

• Bad habits.

It is no secret that smoking and drinking alcohol negatively affect the quality of the circulatory system, increase the risk of thrombosis and angina, inhibit platelet activity, and cause dystrophy of the heart muscle.

• Frequent stress, depression.

Long-term or constant mental stress leads to early wear of blood vessels and overload of the heart.

In addition, women during pregnancy and menopause, as well as all elderly people, may be at risk.

Pathogenesis

Strong heartbeat can have several variants of pathogenetic development. Thus, pathogenesis can be associated with:

• with organic disorders of the cardiovascular system (myocardial pathologies, vascular pathologies);
• with a direct effect on the cellular structures of the sinus node against the background of oxygen starvation, toxic effects, infectious diseases, fever (it is believed that an increase in temperature by one degree causes an increase in heart rate by 10 beats per minute);
• neurogenic factor and the state of the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system;
• with drug effects (tachycardia can be provoked by taking sympathomimetics, thyroidin, caffeine-containing drugs, corticosteroid hormones, etc.).

Most often, a strong heartbeat becomes one of the signs of cardiac neurosis, hyperthyroidism, angina pectoris, rheumatic heart disease, myocarditis, anemia, pulmonary heart disease, etc.

Quite often, a similar condition is found in healthy people, mainly against the background of physical and mental overload.

Long-term troubling tachycardia worsens central and coronary hemodynamics: the heart begins to consume a larger volume of oxygen, energy consumption increases, and capillary coronary circulation suffers. If problems arise in the myocardium, frequent and strong heartbeats can lead to the development of heart failure or worsen its course.

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Symptoms

The patient himself usually characterizes a strong heartbeat as follows: the heart begins to beat strongly, each contraction of the myocardium is felt. Sometimes these symptoms are accompanied by darkening of the eyes, a feeling of panic fear, dizziness or an attack of headache.

Arrhythmia may be accompanied by chest pain, sudden severe weakness, difficulty breathing, increased blood pressure, a feeling of heat or, conversely, cold, and the appearance of a “lump” in the throat.

The first signs may be more vague: the patient notes loss of appetite, insomnia, hand tremors, pale skin. Such a non-specific picture occurs as a result of hyperload on all systems of the human body.

Less frequently, reddening of the skin on the face and upper body, strong heartbeat and sweating, chills or fever are observed: the patient begins to panic, a headache begins suddenly. Typically, the problem can arise both in a calm state and after a certain type of stress: sports, stressful situations, after taking medications, fright, etc. Sudden strong heartbeats can make themselves known even during sleep - that is, without connection with any irritating factor. In such a situation, you cannot do without a full-scale diagnosis.

A symptomatic combination such as a strong heartbeat and high blood pressure is also not uncommon: with an increase in heart rate, the pressure in the arterial vessels increases, and this is one of the variants of the pathological mechanism. Sometimes the opposite happens: the heart begins to work more intensively against the background of a jump in blood pressure. In both cases, it is necessary to look for the root cause of the disorder. However, stabilizing the pressure with any of the indicated mechanisms of development will allow you to "calm" the cardiac activity.

A strong heartbeat with hypotension is also possible. For example, a rapid drop in pressure occurs during the development of a shock condition - during anaphylaxis, trauma, against the background of infectious-toxic or psychogenic shock, etc. The cardiovascular system "responds" to such processes by accelerating myocardial contractions: this is necessary, first of all, to maintain adequate blood pressure - that is, we are talking about a kind of compensatory mechanism.

Blood pressure does not always affect the occurrence of heart problems. Thus, a strong heartbeat with normal pressure is not excluded if a person has vegetative-vascular dystonia, anemia, endocrine diseases (in particular, thyroid hormones often become the cause of the problem). You should not find out the cause yourself, and it is unlikely that you will succeed: it is better to visit a doctor in a timely manner.

You should be especially wary and seriously consider seeking help from a doctor if the following symptoms appear:

• prolonged attacks of discomfort in the chest;
• frequent painful episodes associated with even the slightest irritating factors;
• simultaneously strong heartbeat and pain in the heart.

If such symptoms appear, one may suspect a deficiency of calcium or iron (hemoglobin) in the blood, as well as endocrine or cardiac pathologies.

But, in most cases, if there is a direct heart disease, then several symptoms always bother at once - for example, severe shortness of breath, lack of air and palpitations, a feeling of squeezing in the chest. But for a functional disorder of the thyroid gland, other signs are characteristic - this is severe weakness, palpitations, appetite and sleep disorders.

Anemia – low hemoglobin levels – is characterized by rapid heartbeat and dizziness, pallor, and frequent headaches.

Urgent medical attention is required when the patient observes:

• protruding veins of the neck;
• difficulty breathing (as if something is in the way);
• chest pain;
• a sharp change in blood pressure readings;
• strong heartbeat and fear, impaired consciousness.

It does not matter at all whether all of the above symptoms are present, or just one of them: a visit to the doctor is a must.

You can often hear from patients: I wake up at night from a strong heartbeat, I can’t fall asleep, I constantly listen to my feelings. What’s going on?

Such symptoms are not uncommon in people with endocrine disorders: to solve such a problem, you should undergo a whole series of diagnostic procedures.

The following “signs” will warn of possible danger:

• difficulty inhaling during normal exhalation (sometimes a person inhales with a whistle, harshly, heavily);
• strong heartbeat, headache with dizziness;
• sensation of noise in the head or ears;
• darkening of the vision;
• disturbances of consciousness.

These signs indicate that it is necessary to call an ambulance immediately.

If a person has the first signs of ARVI or flu, and against their background a strong heartbeat and temperature, fever are detected, then it is necessary to carry out symptomatic treatment, affecting not the work of the heart, but eliminating the symptoms of the viral infection. When the temperature normalizes, the strong heartbeat will stabilize on its own.

Acute poisoning is sometimes characterized by nausea and a strong heartbeat. To correct the situation and improve your well-being, it may be enough to simply induce vomiting or drink activated charcoal (depending on the severity of the intoxication). The main thing is to correctly understand the situation and, if other dangerous symptoms occur - profuse loose stools with vomiting and dehydration - seek medical help.

People suffering from hypertension often experience a strong heartbeat and trembling hands when their blood pressure drops sharply – for example, if a person has taken an excessive dose of an antihypertensive drug, or under other circumstances. It is easy to monitor this condition: you just need to measure the indicators more often with a tonometer.

But symptoms such as a strong heartbeat and a lump in the throat should alert you: most likely, there are real problems with the heart. Such a condition is not uncommon in post-stress situations. Additional pathological signs may include headaches, dizziness, a feeling of pressure in the chest, and difficulty breathing.

A strong heartbeat and noise in the ears may indicate high blood pressure or other critical conditions that require not only treatment but also emergency medical care. There is a special reason for concern if the problem arose without any obvious reason, while you are feeling well, calm, or even asleep.

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Strong heartbeat in a child

Children are not so rarely found to have all sorts of functional failures of the cardiovascular system, and a strong heartbeat is no exception. The greatest number of such failures are diagnosed in adolescence, against the background of active growth of the child's body. In addition, some signs are also found at the age of five or six.

Should such a problem be treated in a child? It depends on the intensity of the clinical symptoms, the general condition of the heart and vascular network. In the absence of organic disorders of the heart and with minor attacks of strong palpitations, there is no need for treatment: only small changes in lifestyle are enough. Hydrotherapy, exercise therapy will help improve the functioning of the heart and the body as a whole, and in more complex cases, it is possible to draw up a treatment regimen using bromine, valerian, and atropine preparations.

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Strong heartbeat during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the appearance of frequent and strong heartbeat is not uncommon. At the same time, attacks can suddenly appear and just as abruptly disappear on their own. And not in all such cases should a woman worry. Often, tachycardia is associated with an increasing load on the cardiovascular system of the expectant mother, as well as with an increase in the volume of circulating blood. Among other reasons, the following can be named:

• intense hormonal changes;
• sudden weight gain, which is accompanied by increased stress on the heart;
• severe toxicosis;
• a drop in hemoglobin levels, development of anemia;
• constant worries, fears;
• low blood pressure.

If the woman's general well-being does not suffer during attacks, then most likely we are talking about physiological tachycardia, which does not require special treatment. All that can be advised to the expectant mother is rest, relaxing procedures, proper nutrition and sleep, and weight control.

If a strong heartbeat is accompanied by dizziness, loss of consciousness, nausea, chest pain, paresthesia, a feeling of lack of oxygen, then you should immediately seek medical help. Most likely, you will have to undergo a number of diagnostic procedures.

Stages

Many experts divide strong heartbeats into several stages:

• Stage I is characterized by the appearance of tachycardia only during physical exertion. Other symptoms are usually not observed.
• Stage IIa is characterized by the appearance of increased heart rate during exertion (physical, stressful), as well as other side symptoms (difficulty breathing, increased fatigue, pale skin) _.
• Stage II _b is characterized by the occurrence of attacks even at rest. Frequent and strong heartbeat can be felt in sleep, during rest; a feeling of fear, headache, shortness of breath, etc. may appear.
• Stage III is accompanied by pronounced changes in the cardiovascular system. Acrocyanosis is observed, cardiac borders are widened, tones are muffled, arrhythmia is possible.

Forms

Conventionally, two types of strong heartbeat can be distinguished. We are talking about situational tachycardia, which is a unique response of the heart to certain external and internal irritants, as well as chronic tachycardia.

Situational strong heartbeat goes away on its own, by itself, as the irritating factor disappears (for example, fear, stress, physical exertion, etc.).

Chronic strong heartbeat does not disappear on its own, as it is the result of certain cardiac pathologies or functional problems in other organs or systems. To normalize chronic tachycardia, it is necessary to eliminate the original cause of the pathological condition.

In addition, disturbing periodic or constant strong heartbeat is divided into the following distinctive types:

• Paroxysmal type - the attack develops abruptly and ends just as abruptly. The number of beats per minute can reach 200 or even more. For example, such a strong heartbeat often occurs in the morning or during the day: it can be accompanied by increased sweating, a feeling of panic.
• Non-paroxysmal type - the attack develops gradually, with a barely noticeable and short-term increase in heart rate. Over time, the duration of episodes increases to several hours and even days. Often, the patient develops insomnia, a strong heartbeat does not allow normal sleep, work, etc.
• Sinus type – proceeds less noticeably, since the heart rate rarely exceeds 120 beats per minute. The clinical picture may be vague, or it may not exist at all. Rarely, the patient notes a strong heartbeat before sleep, while falling asleep, the problem becomes more noticeable: in most situations, this type of tachycardia is detected during diagnostic measures.

Diagnostics palpitations

Diagnostic procedures usually begin with a preliminary survey of the patient. The doctor needs to listen to complaints, assess the person's general well-being, clarify the severity and localization of pain or discomfort, and find out after taking which medications the patient feels relief.

An examination is also necessary, but at the initial stages of the disease it may be ineffective. However, the doctor is able to assess the condition of the skin, determine excess body weight, see signs of anemia, and suspect endocrine disorders.

Using palpation and percussion methods, cardiac boundaries are determined; using auscultation, the doctor listens to heart tones, noises, and evaluates the rhythm.

Additionally, blood pressure measurement may be required.

Laboratory diagnostics most often include:

• general blood and urine tests;
• blood biochemistry + glucose level determination;
• determination of hormone levels in the blood (in particular, thyroid hormones are examined).

Instrumental diagnostics consists of the following procedures:

• Radiography is prescribed to determine the size of the heart, possible aneurysms and signs of insufficient cardiac activity.
• ECG – helps determine the quality of blood supply to the myocardium.
• Coronary angiography – allows you to assess the condition of the vascular network, detect atherosclerosis and areas of narrowing of the arteries.
• Daily monitoring (Holter monitoring) – is used to conduct daily continuous recording of the heart dynamics on the ECG. The study requires a special portable device that records any disturbances in the heart's work during the day. This method is most informative in diagnosing a strong heartbeat.
• Load tests – are performed using a bicycle ergometer or a treadmill. The patient is asked to evaluate cardiac activity against the background of a dosed physical load. The purpose of this method is to determine the relationship between the appearance of a strong heartbeat and signs of impaired myocardial blood supply on the electrocardiogram.
• Tomographic examination of the heart and arterial vessels is most often used for differential diagnostics.
• Thyroid ultrasound is prescribed if there is a suspicion of disorders in the endocrine system.

Since the doctor is not always able to listen to a strong heartbeat (at the time of examination of the patient, the heart function may be normal), it is very important to concentrate on how the patient himself describes his own feelings at the time of the attack. It is recommended that such patients independently measure the heart rate and evaluate its rhythm with the onset of a strong heartbeat. First of all, differential diagnostics should be carried out with psychogenic palpitations, with organic lesions (for example, aortic insufficiency with an increase in stroke volume).

If the rhythm is correct but accelerated, one may suspect either emotional or physical overload, or atrial or ventricular tachycardia.

Arrhythmia is spoken of even when there are episodic extrasystoles: the compensatory period that follows the extrasystole is a kind of cardiac arrest, and the subsequent contraction is felt as a strong blow. However, based on the patient's description, it is difficult to distinguish extrasystolic attacks from atrial fibrillation.

Tachycardia appears or intensifies with hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, elevated body temperature, pheochromocytoma, and after taking certain medications (atropine, thyroid hormones, adrenaline, ephedrine, aminophylline). Smoking, alcohol consumption, excessive coffee and strong tea contribute to a strong heartbeat. Some factors that cause tachycardia can only be determined by additional diagnostics: this includes thyrotoxicosis, pulmonary problems, and heart defects.

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Treatment palpitations

Long-term therapy for palpitations is prescribed depending on the underlying cause of the pathological symptom. Most often, it is necessary to resort to taking antiarrhythmic drugs and cardiac glycosides.

Complications and consequences

Repeated attacks of strong heartbeat can negatively affect the state of the cardiovascular system. Elderly patients and people suffering from organic heart pathologies are especially at risk. Against the background of increased heart rate, the myocardium requires more oxygen: if it is not enough, then ischemia or even a heart attack can develop. That is why, due to the high probability of complications, frequent attacks of tachycardia are a reason to consult a cardiologist.

Perhaps the most common complication of systematic paroxysmal strong heartbeat is angina pectoris. This pathology develops as a result of myocardial nutrition deficiency caused by insufficient blood flow to the muscle. Angina pectoris is characterized by sudden pain and a feeling of squeezing in the chest: this condition can last for about 15-30 minutes, after which everything returns to normal. Some patients experience a feeling of weakness, nausea, and increased sweating after an attack. It is typical that in a lying position, the pathological symptoms only intensify. If a person discovers similar symptoms, then he should contact a doctor immediately: not only the health, but also the life of the patient is at stake.

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Prevention

To reduce the likelihood of “encountering” such a problem as a strong heartbeat, it is necessary to take several steps recommended by experts.

The first is the eradication of bad habits. It is no secret that tobacco smoke and alcohol increase the load on the myocardium and vascular network several times.

It is equally important to avoid stressful situations, nervous shocks, and also to avoid excessive physical overload.

You need to be selective about the consumption of various drinks and medications, as many of them can cause an increase in heart rate. For example, we are talking about energy drinks, coffee, strong teas, as well as medications containing caffeine.

Nutrition and, in particular, eating habits are of great importance for heart health: the cardiovascular system “does not like” overeating, limited fluid intake, lack of plant foods in the diet, and excess animal fats. Obesity and atherosclerosis are common triggers for heart problems. Therefore, it is necessary to do everything possible to prevent these pathologies.

What you must do:

• regularly visit a doctor to monitor your heart function, have an ECG, and measure your blood pressure;
• monitor the functionality of the hormonal system by systematically taking appropriate tests;
• have a full and quality rest, stick to a daily routine;
• avoid emotional and physical overload.

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Forecast

No medical specialist can give a clear prognosis for a person complaining of a strong heartbeat. One thing can be said: this symptom cannot be ignored. It is necessary to conduct diagnostics, find out the cause of tachycardia and be treated under the supervision of a doctor.

Situational palpitations usually have a favorable prognosis, as they can be brought back to normal by using sedatives, relaxing procedures, adequate sleep and rest.

Frequently repeated or even constant strong heartbeat is more than a serious reason to seek medical advice. In such a situation, the quality of the prognosis depends entirely on how timely the visit to the doctor and subsequent treatment was.

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