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Why heart rate becomes irregular?
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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #12494
49 days ago
110

Why heart rate becomes irregular? - #12494

Reet

I am really trying to understand why heart rate becomes irregular, especially after what happened a few weeks ago. I was at a family gathering, and out of the blue, my heart started racing like crazy! I mean, one minute I was laughing and the next I was feeling it jump around in my chest. It was super scary, and I couldn't really figure out what was going on. I thought it was just stress or something, but then I started thinking—maybe there’s more to it? I've been checking my pulse more often since that night, and sometimes I notice it just doesn't feel right. Like, it will be fast for a while, then out of no where it drops really low. I went to my doc and they did an EKG, said everything looked "normal," but I'm still left here asking, why heart rate becomes irregular in the first place? Is it just me? Or do other people have this too? Could it be tied to something more serious, like caffeine, lack of sleep, or even anxiety? I'm just a bit worried.

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Doctors’ responses

Irregular heart rates, or arrhythmias, can indeed be unsettling, but they’re not uncommon and have various causes. It sounds like you experienced what’s known as palpitations, where the heart seems to flutter or thump noticeably in the chest. Several factors can contribute. For starters, caffeine is a well-known culprit—it stimulates the central nervous system and can lead to some people having a fast or irregular heart rate, especially if consumed in larger amounts. Lack of sleep is another factor; it stresses the body and can throw off the autonomic nervous system, which regulates heart rate among other functions. Anxiety and stress are natural triggers as well because they can release adrenaline, which temporarily increases heart rate and might cause it to skip or feel irregular. Beyond these lifestyle factors, there are medical conditions that can cause an irregular heart rhythm, such as thyroid disorders or electrolyte imbalances. However, since you’ve already had an EKG that came back normal, that’s reassuring because it rules out many immediate serious heart issues. Despite this, if you continue experiencing irregularities or develop symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, or fainting, it would be prudent to follow up with further cardiac testing—perhaps an ambulatory monitoring like a Holter monitor. This tool captures the heart’s rhythm over a longer period, which may pick up irregularities that a short EKG couldn’t catch. In the interim, you might start keeping a journal documenting when these episodes occur, noting what you were doing, eating, or feeling, which can help in pinpointing potential triggers. Be cautious about excessive caffeine or alcohol, stay hydrated, and strive for a regular sleep pattern. Making some lifestyle adjustments may well alleviate those irregular rhythms. Always err on the side of caution and reach out to your healthcare provider with any new or worsening symptoms. Such an approach allows you to address it proactively and minimize anxiety about the unknown, which might inadvertently contribute to the symptom itself.

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