Dr. Ahmad Zohdi Al Katma is one of the best cardiologists in the Sharjah working at Zulekha Hospital LLC, Sharjah. With an experience of more than 14 years, he specializes in the treatment and management of palpitation, cardiac arrhythmia and syncope, management of heart failure, evaluation and management of chest pain, management of hypertension, and coronary heart disease, performing echocardiography, performing and interpreting TMT, and ABPM, coronary angiography and coronary interventions and cardiac pacemaker implantation. His education qualification includes MBBS and MD from Damascus University, Syria. Dr. Ahmad Zohdi Al Katma has contributed to several international publications, essays, and presentations.
Heart Palpitations
The feeling of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart ae referred to as heart palpitations. Some of the events that may trigger this are stress, exercise, medication, or in the rare case a medical condition. They are usually harmless but can be worrisome at the same time can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition.
Symptoms
Heart palpitations can feel
- Beating too fast
- Pounding
- Flip-flopping
- Skipping beats
- Fluttering rapidly
Causes
Often the causes of your heart palpitations are hard to find but common ones include:
- Stimulants that include cocaine, amphetamines, caffeine, nicotine, and cold and cough medications that contain pseudoephedrine
- Fever
- Hormonal changes
- Strong emotional responses stress, anxiety, or panic attacks
- Depression
- Strenuous exercise
- An unusual, excessive amount of or insufficient hormone
Diagnosis
Test that determines palpitations include
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) - In this test technician places leads on your chest to record the electrical signals that make your heartbeat. It can be done by either resting or during the exercise.
- Holter Monitoring – On wearing this portable device a continuous ECG is recorded for 24 to 72 hours. They focus on tracking heartbeats that aren’t recorded during ECG.
- Event Recording - This portable ECG device is meant to watch heart activity over every week to a couple of months.
- Echocardiogram - This non-invasive exam creates a moving picture of your heart while using sound waves. It shows the blood flow and structure problems with your heart.
Treatment
Unless the doctor finds that there is a heart condition like heart palpitations you seldom require treatment. The doctor will recommend different ways that will help you to avoid the triggers that cause palpitations.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Palpitations can be treated at home to avoid the triggers that cause symptoms:
- Reduce Stress – Different relaxation techniques help to reduce stress, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
- Avoid Stimulants – Avoid substances that contain caffeine, nicotine, some cold medicines, and energy drinks. They can make your heartbeat quickly or irregularly.
- Avoid Illegal Drugs - Certain harmful drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can trigger and bring on heart palpitations.
Take Away
Before taking an appointment with the doctor make a list of all your symptoms, discuss your personal information, family history, and medications and supplements. For proper consultancy and treatment contact Dr. Ahmad Zohdi Al Katma one of the most prominent Cardiologists from UAE. You can meet him at Zulekha Hospital LLC- Sharjah.