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Causes<\/div><\/div>
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Most common:<\/p>\n
\n- Atrial fibrillation (irregular<\/strong>pulse)<\/strong>: with increasing age and certain heart diseases<\/li>\n
- Other tachycardias of the atrium or AV node<\/strong>(regular<\/strong>pulse)<\/strong>: often no recognizable cause, sometimes congenital conduction disorder<\/li>\n
- All are favored by strong physical or mental strain, stress, fever, inflammation or lack of fluids as well as electrolyte disorders and occur as side effects of medication and excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol or drugs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Rarer:<\/p>\n
\n- Ventricular tachycardia<\/strong> or ventricular fibrillation <\/strong>: During acute myocardial infarction, in all forms of myocardial disease and cardiac insufficiency. Often fatal if left untreated <\/li>\n
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Diagnosis<\/div><\/div>
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\n- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Shows the type and origin of the cardiac arrhythmia.<\/li>\n
- Long-term ECG (for weeks to years): Also records transient or infrequent attacks of palpitations.<\/li>\n
- Ultrasound examination of the heart (TTE) to assess heart structure and function.<\/li>\n
- Blood tests to rule out other causes such as hyperthyroidism or electrolyte imbalances.<\/li>\n
- Electrophysiological clarification (cardiac catheterization, see below)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Therapies<\/div><\/div>
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\n- Treatment of the underlying disease or adjustment of medication.<\/li>\n
- Medication to control the heart rhythm and heart rate (antiarrhythmic drugs, beta blockers).<\/li>\n
- In certain cases, electrical cardioversion (‘electric shock’ under anesthesia, to restore the normal rhythm).<\/li>\n
- In the case of recurrent or dangerous tachycardia, a cardiac catheter procedure (ablation) or an implantable defibrillator may be necessary (see below).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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<\/i>Extrasystoles<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n
Symptoms<\/div><\/div>
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\n- Most people do not even notice extra beats (extrasystoles) (ALL people have extrasystoles!)<\/li>\n
- Heart stumbling or the feeling of a “skip” in the heartbeat, sometimes followed by a strong beat that can be felt in the throat<\/li>\n
- Occasionally dizziness, nausea or a brief feeling of weakness (especially if occurring frequently)<\/li>\n
- Anxiety, restlessness or feelings of insecurity, especially if the extrasystoles occur more frequently or at night in the left-sided position<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Causes<\/div><\/div>
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\n- Extrasystoles are additional heartbeats that occur outside the normal heart rhythm. They are often perceived as “heart stumbles” <\/li>\n
- Most common causes: stress, lack of sleep, exhaustion, excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine or other addictive substances<\/li>\n
- Electrolyte disorders, especially potassium or magnesium deficiency<\/li>\n
- Diseases of the heart, e.g. chronic narrowing of the coronary arteries, myocarditis or heart valve disease<\/li>\n
- Thyroid diseases, side effects of medication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Diagnosis<\/div><\/div>
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\n- Resting ECG to detect extrasystoles and assess the heart rhythm<\/li>\n
- Long-term ECG (over 1-7 days) to detect even rare or exercise-induced extrasystoles<\/li>\n
- Load test: Influence of the load on the occurrence of extra strokes<\/li>\n
- Ultrasound examination of the heart (echocardiography) to clarify possible structural heart diseases<\/li>\n
- Blood tests to check electrolytes and thyroid levels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Therapies<\/div><\/div>
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\n- In the case of harmless extrasystoles, avoiding triggers such as stress, alcohol or caffeine is often sufficient<\/li>\n
- Compensation of electrolyte deficiencies through diet or supplements (e.g. potassium, magnesium)<\/li>\n
- Drug treatment (e.g. beta blockers) for severe symptoms or underlying heart disease<\/li>\n
- In very rare cases, catheter ablation (sclerotherapy of the original site in the heart)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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