Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations can be a foreign and frightening sensation. To make sure your heart palpitations are harmless rather than a sign of a serious heart condition, come to Madison Avenue Cardiovascular & Concierge Medicine in Midtown Manhattan. Renowned New York cardiologist Mark Meyer, MD, FACP, FACC expertly evaluates heart palpitations and other symptoms to find the underlying cause.
What Are Heart Palpitations?
Heart palpitations are sensations that can make you acutely aware of your heartbeat. You might feel as though your heart is racing, fluttering, skipping beats, or pounding unusually hard. While often harmless, palpitations can occasionally signal underlying heart conditions that warrant medical evaluation.
Typically, palpitations are most noticeable in the chest. However, many individuals also experience these sensations in the neck or throat. The intensity and duration of palpitations can vary significantly, depending on the underlying cause and individual factors.
What are the Causes of Heart Palpitations?
The exact cause of heart palpitations isn't always clear, but several factors commonly contribute to their occurrence. Emotional states such as intense stress, anxiety, or depression frequently trigger palpitations. Physical factors, including vigorous exercise, can also elevate heart rate and lead to noticeable heartbeat sensations.
Substances like caffeine, nicotine, and certain cold medications that act as stimulants are known contributors. Alcohol consumption and hormonal fluctuations — particularly during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause — can similarly provoke episodes of palpitations.
In some cases, an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) underlies the palpitations. Different types of arrhythmias can produce distinct sensations; for example, atrial fibrillation might cause fluttering or irregular heartbeat patterns, whereas tachycardia typically results in a rapid heartbeat.
When Should I seek Medical Care for Heart Palpitations?
While occasional, brief episodes of heart palpitations are often benign, persistent or worsening symptoms should prompt medical evaluation. If palpitations occur frequently or are accompanied by additional symptoms — such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or unexplained fatigue — immediate medical attention is crucial. These symptoms could indicate serious cardiac issues, including heart attacks, heart failure, or other potentially life-threatening conditions.
At Madison Avenue Cardiovascular & Concierge Medicine, prompt assessment is available to determine whether palpitations are harmless or indicative of a more serious heart concern.
What Is the Treatment for Heart Palpitations?
When you visit Madison Avenue Cardiovascular & Concierge Medicine, Dr. Meyer conducts a thorough assessment of your symptoms, medical history, and overall heart health. Diagnostic tools such as echocardiograms and exercise stress tests are commonly employed to evaluate cardiac function. These noninvasive tests are performed in-office and require no recovery time.
Treatment plans are tailored based on the underlying cause of your palpitations. If an arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation is identified, you may need procedures to correct the heart’s rhythm, followed by long-term medication management. For those who experience occasional palpitations without evidence of structural heart disease, a conservative approach of regular monitoring may be sufficient.
Regardless of the severity, promoting heart health remains a central goal. Dr. Meyer emphasizes a holistic approach to cardiovascular care, helping patients manage risk factors such as hypertension and high cholesterol. This integrative strategy often includes conventional medical treatments complemented by alternative therapies, including yoga, stress management techniques, and personalized wellness plans.
How Can Dr. Mark Meyer Help You with Palpitations?
At Madison Avenue Cardiovascular & Concierge Medicine, we deliver personalized, expert care tailored to the complexities of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular health. We champion early detection and precision management, blending advanced diagnostics with therapeutic strategies to preserve and enhance heart function. With a commitment to clinical excellence and individualized attention, our practice ensures that each patient receives the highest standard of medical care in an atmosphere of sophistication and trust.
Meet Dr. Mark Meyer
Mark L. Meyer, MD, FACP, FACC, is a board-certified physician and among the leading cardiologists and internists in New York. He is the founder of Madison Avenue Cardiovascular & Concierge Medicine in Midtown, Manhattan, serving patients throughout New York City. Dr. Meyer integrates different approaches to medicine to provide his patients expert and personalized care at every step of the health journey.
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