Heart palpitations, also known as arrhythmias, are abnormal heartbeat sensations. If you have heart palpitations, you may experience heart pounding or racing and heart fluttering, or you may feel as though your heart skipped a beat or performed an extra beat, according to the Cleveland Clinic. To gain a better understanding of the role of nutritional therapy in treating or preventing heart palpitations, schedule a meeting with your primary care provider.
Heart Palpitation Background
A certain degree of heart rate variation is normal and healthy, notes Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, although prolonged elevated or depressed heart rate is not normal. The Center also notes that irregular heartbeats associated with abnormal electrical heart activity are abnormal. Some of the most common causes of heart palpitations include pregnancy, fear, panic, stress, anxiety, caffeine consumption, hypoglycemia, dehydration, nicotine consumption and the use of certain recreational drugs. Various tests may be used to diagnose the underlying cause of your heart palpitations, including electrophysiologic studies, Holter monitors and electrocardiography.
Dietary Approach
Cardiac arrhythmias are a type of cardiovascular disease that may respond to certain dietary approaches. According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," to help improve your heart health and function and to help treat or prevent cardiovascular disease, you should consider increasing your consumption of fiber, garlic, onions, raw nuts, Atlantic herring, mackerel, olive oil, trout, tuna and pink salmon. Balch suggests avoiding consumption of stimulants, such as coffee, black tea and any other food or beverage that contains caffeine.
Helpful Nutritional Supplements
Numerous nutritional supplements may help improve your heart function and treat your heart palpitations. Some of the most effective supplements for cardiac arrhythmia, notes Dr. Alan R. Gaby, author of "The Natural Pharmacy," may include magnesium, fish oil, potassium, copper, selenium, vitamin D, corydalis and hawthorn. Gaby advises that you should use these supplements for this health purpose only if you are under a doctor's supervision. More clinical research evidence is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of these supplements in treating heart palpitations.
Considerations
Heart palpitations are often transient and may be caused by benign factors, although some people who experience this health problem may have serious underlying conditions that could be life-threatening. If you experience the characteristic symptoms of heart palpitations -- extra heartbeats, skipped beats, a fluttering sensation in your chest -- report to your family physician to be properly evaluated, diagnosed and treated. Your doctor can tell you about the merits, drawbacks and limitations of nutritional therapy and other measures used in treating this problem.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Arrhythmias: Heart Palpitations
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: Arrhythmia
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 2010
- "The Natural Pharmacy"; Alan R. Gaby, M.D.; 2006
