Heart palpitations are sensations of a rapidly or irregularly beating heart. They often feel like your heart is skipping beats, fluttering, or pounding harder than usual.
They can be a symptom of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Learn more. If you've ever felt your heart racing or pounding unexpectedly, you know how unsettling heart palpitations can be. These irregular heartbeats can be caused by various factors, including diet.
Common symptoms include a racing heartbeat, an irregular pulse, and a feeling of fluttering in the chest. Several factors can cause heart palpitations, including stress, anxiety, medications, and certain foods and beverages.
Dietary triggers are particularly significant because they can be managed by making conscious food choices. In this article, we'll explain how to identify heart palpitations, which foods to avoid, and when to seek medical advice.
How do you confirm if you are palpitating?
Several conditions can be mistaken for heart palpitations in Singapore (more on that later.) Just to make sure that you understand what you're dealing with, one of the questions you may want to ask if you get worrisome symptoms is; how do you confirm if you're palpitating?
To recognize and confirm heart palpitations, you will want to pay attention to your body's signals. You might notice an irregular heartbeat during moments of rest or activity. To self-monitor, try checking your pulse at the wrist or neck when you feel an episode coming on. Count the beats for 60 seconds to determine if there's an irregularity.
For a definitive diagnosis, consult a knowledgeable heart doctor. They may use diagnostic tools like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or a Holter monitor to track your heart's activity over a period. These tests can help identify the cause of the palpitations and guide appropriate treatment.
What could be Mistaken for Heart Palpitations?
Heart palpitations can sometimes be confused with other conditions, some of which may be more serious. This explains why many people incessantly search online, what could be mistaken for heart palpitations?
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is one of the most common conditions that can be mistaken for heart palpitations. AFib which is a heart rhythm disorder where the heart’s electrical signals misfire causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat irregularly and too quickly. Blood may pool in these chambers and cause serious complications like heart failure or stroke if untreated.
Here are some other conditions that may be mistaken for heart palpitations;
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Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Anxiety and panic attacks often cause symptoms that mimic heart palpitations. During a panic attack, the heart may race, and you might feel chest tightness or shortness of breath. These sensations can be easily mistaken for a heart issue, but they are typically linked to the body’s stress response rather than a heart condition.
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Low Blood Pressure: Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can also be confused with heart palpitations. When blood pressure drops, it can cause dizziness, fainting, and a sensation of the heart skipping beats. This can feel similar to palpitations but is actually a result of insufficient blood flow to the brain and other organs.
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Other Heart Arrhythmias: Other arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, can also be mistaken for simple heart palpitations. Conditions like ventricular tachycardia or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can cause the heart to beat irregularly or too fast. These arrhythmias might feel like palpitations, but they often require more specific medical attention.
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Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): CAD, a condition where the heart’s blood vessels are narrowed or blocked, can sometimes present with symptoms similar to palpitations, such as chest discomfort and an irregular heartbeat. These symptoms are often more serious and may signal an underlying issue with blood flow to the heart.
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Heart Valve Disorders: Heart valve disorders, where the valves in the heart don’t function properly, can also be mistaken for palpitations. These disorders can cause irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, and shortness of breath, which might feel like palpitations but are due to the heart’s valves not opening or closing correctly. Proper diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent complications like heart failure.
What Foods Can Worsen Heart Palpitations?
If you're diagnosed with heart palpitations in Singapore, there are specific foods you will want to avoid so you do not worsen your condition. Examples include;
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Caffeinated Foods and Drinks
Caffeine is a common trigger for heart palpitations. Found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and can increase heart rate and blood pressure.
For individuals sensitive to caffeine, even small amounts can lead to palpitations. Reducing or eliminating caffeine from your diet can help manage these symptoms.
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Processed Snack Foods
Processed snack foods like chips, cookies, and packaged pastries are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats. These ingredients can lead to blood sugar spikes and inflammation.
Both of those can affect heart health. Consuming whole, unprocessed foods is a healthier alternative that supports overall cardiovascular well-being.
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Sodas
Both regular and diet sodas can contribute to heart palpitations. Regular sodas are high in sugar, which can lead to blood sugar imbalances and increased heart rate.
Diet sodas, while sugar-free, contain artificial sweeteners that may still affect heart rhythm. Opting for water, herbal teas, or other non-caffeinated beverages is a better choice for heart health.
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Processed Deli Meats and Excessively Spicy Foods
Processed deli meats such as ham, salami, and bologna are high in sodium and preservatives. Excessive sodium intake can lead to fluid retention, increasing blood pressure and the workload on your heart.
Spicy foods, such as hot sauces and spicy curries, can trigger heartburn and indigestion, which may lead to palpitations in some individuals. Limit processed meats and choose fresh, lean protein sources to reduce the risk of palpitations. Also, if you notice a correlation between spicy meals and heart palpitations, consider moderating your intake or choosing milder options.
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Red Meat
Red meats like beef, lamb, and pork are high in saturated fats. These saturated fats can raise your cholesterol levels and impact your heart health.
High cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries which increases the risk of heart disease and palpitations. Opt for leaner meats or plant-based protein sources to support better heart health.
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Alcohol
Alcohol consumption can disrupt the heart's electrical signals and cause palpitations. Both binge drinking and regular alcohol intake can have adverse effects on heart rhythm.
Reduce or eliminate alcohol from your diet to minimize the risk of heart palpitations. While occasional heart palpitations can be benign, certain symptoms warrant medical attention.
If you experience chest pain, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting along with palpitations, seek immediate medical care. These could be signs of a more serious condition.
It is a Wrap!
If you've had heart palpitations, you probably very well understand how distressing they can be. However, once you understand them and learn how to manage dietary triggers you should be able to reduce their occurrence.
Always consult with a knowledgeable heart doctor for personalized advice and treatment options tailored to your needs. If you're in Singapore, call or visit the Cadence Heart Center to discuss your risk factors and how to manage them. Details below;
Cadence Heart Centre (Dr Devinder Singh) | Heart Screening, Heart Check Up
3 Mount Elizabeth, Medical Centre,
14-13, Singapore 228510
https://cadenceheart.sg/
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