Is it just coffee jitters or heart palpitations that warrant medical attention? We speak to a doctor to find out more.
Does your heartbeat race when you have one too many coffees? Caffeine jitters and increased heart rates from exercise or stress are normal, but heart palpitations may be a sign of a bigger health problem. To tell the difference, we speak to Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Medical Director of Cadence Heart Centre, Dr Devinder Singh, to find out more.
What kinds of heart rhythms are normal?
A normal heart rate is about 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest. Stress, anxiety, exercise, and certain medications can raise your heart rate and cause heart palpitations temporarily, Dr Singh says, but this is usually harmless and represents an appropriate response to the stimulus.
When are heart palpitations a problem?
Arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats are a cardiac rhythm disorder where the heart beats too fast, too slow or irregularly. There are several symptoms to look out for if you suspect you have irregular heartbeat. Crucial symptoms include heart flutters (palpitations), skipped heart beats, chest pain, pounding in the chest, dizziness or fainting spells, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and fatigue.
Dr Singh recommends paying attention to the symptoms accompanying the palpitations, as well as the context in which they occur. It’s normal for heart rate to change if there’s a physiological stimulus: for instance, a higher heart rate after drinking coffee is totally normal, as coffee contains caffeine, which is a stimulant! But palpitations without any stimulus is an issue, as is irregular heart beat or skipping beats. Also, if you have a pre-existing heart condition, having palpitations are more likely to be an abnormal sign.
How can I care for my cardiac health?
A healthy lifestyle is key to good cardiac health, Dr Singh says. Be sure to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and don’t forget to get enough sleep everyday. Major risk factors that can lead to heart problems include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, high cholesterol and smoking. Regular screening for these risk factors is recommended. Quitting smoking is very important to maintain cardiac health. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation.
Plus, Dr Singh recommends that everyone above the age of 40 should consider heart screening, regardless of symptoms. Those who have cardiovascular risk factors ought to go for screenings earlier.
For comprehensive cardiac tests to understand your heart health, check out the Cadence heart screening package. This complete heart and risk assessment is specifically tailored to patients above the age of 50, and includes blood investigations, clinical evaluation and more. Other screening packages include sportspersons and NS pre-enlistment screenings, as well as non-invasive screenings to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors.
If you’d like more information or want to go for a screening, reach out to Dr Devinder Singh at #14-13, Mt Elizabeth Hospital, 3 Mt Elizabeth, Singapore 228510.
This post is in partnership with Beyond Medical Group.