Heart palpitations can strike quickly and can be a frightening experience. The University of Maryland Medical Center claims the heart beats between 60 to 100 times a minute in an average person. A change in the beat of the heart is easily noticed, and if you feel an abnormal heartbeat, you should check with your health care provider to assure that it is not serious. Keep track of what you have been eating or drinking so you can share this with your doctor, and see if it may be a cause of your heart palpitations.
Cause
There are many reasons for heart palpitations, but lifestyle behavior is usually a factor. Specifically, food and palpitations have been linked, so you should monitor what you eat. According to the Cleveland Clinic, many products containing caffeine can cause heart palpitations. These foods include coffee, tea, soda and chocolate. The stimulant effect on your body is passed on to your heart and causes palpitations.
Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic describes heart palpitations as a pounding or fluttering within your chest. Your heart may occasionally skip a beat or beat at irregular speeds. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute states that other symptoms could be very serious and you should contact a doctor immediately if they are experienced. These symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness, unusual sweating and dizziness. If food products are related to the palpitations, they will usually occur soon after consuming them.
Diagnosis
A doctor must be involved with diagnosing your heart palpitations. Only a licenced professional can tell you if the palpitations are harmless or if you need to modify your lifestyle. If the palpitations occur regularly after eating certain foods, you should mention this to your doctor to help in the diagnosis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, your doctor may order tests to try to find a cause. These tests may include X-rays, EKGs, cardiac monitoring, stress tests or even blood and urine tests.
Treatment
Unless your heart palpitation are caused by heart disease or other dangerous factors, there is usually no treatment needed. f it is caused by something that is correctable, your doctor will determine the treatment plan that is best for you. If it is determined that food is the cause of your heart palpitations, those foods will need to be eliminated from your diet.
Prevention
To prevent food-related heart palpitations, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that you eat a low-fat diet that is well balanced. You should also limit the amount of caffeinated beverages that you consume. Some herbal supplements may also act as a stimulant. These should be avoided as well. Consult a doctor if you have any concerns about foods you may eat that might trigger a palpitation episode.
