If our heart rate is higher than normal, it is called heart palpitations. This condition can be very alarming, however, it usually does not harm us and it calms down after some rest. A healthy adult heart normally beats 60 to 100 times per minute when the person is at rest. Palpitations occur when the heart suddenly and without reason beats fast and irregularly for a few seconds. Sometimes this pulse may be so strong that a person has a heart attack. A strong heartbeat may be felt in the chest, throat, or neck.
Heart palpitations causes
- Stress
- Nicotine consumption
- Standing for long periods of time
- Anxiety
- Low blood sugar
- Potassium deficiency
- Menopause
- Taking drugs such as amphetamine, diet pills, cough medicines, antibiotics, thyroid hormone, digoxin, and asthma.
- Anger
- Hyperthyroidism
- Dehydration
- Prolapse of the mitral valve of the heart.
- Excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol or even chocolate.
- Excessive exercises
- Dietary supplements
- Fever
- Anemia
- Pregnancy
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Drug abuse
- Eating foods rich in carbohydrates or fat
- Eating foods containing high amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates, or sodium.
- Having history of heart attack
- Coronary artery diseases or heart artery blockage
- Heart failure
- Heart valve problems
- Heart muscle problems
Symptoms of heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired during physical activity
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Confusion and memory problems
- Dizziness
General recommendations of traditional medicine regarding heart palpitations
- Eating less food and avoid overeating.
- Eating digestible food.
- Mental emotions such as fear, anger, stress, and anxiety cause heart palpitations and should be avoided. Stressful work and activities, insomnia and being in stressful environments are not suitable for those who are susceptible to this disease.
Best foods for heart palpitations
- Eating meats of lamb, goat and birds.
- Non-acidic green raisins
- Almonds
- Pistachio
- Hazelnut
- Jujube
- Rose water
- Rose water syrup
- Basil seeds
- Lallemantia seeds
- Lemon balm
- Pineapple jam
- Orange blossom jam
- The yolk of soft-boiled egg with sugar powder
- Borage syrup
Prevalent prescriptions of traditional Iranian medicine sages in the treatment of heart palpitations
- Drink half a glass of Rose Hips hydrosol every 8 hours. It is useful if the heart palpitations is caused by emotional issues and feelings such as sorrow and depression which make the heart cold or if the patient has chest heaviness, heart palpitations and anxiety.
Resources:
- Iranian medicine book, Mohammad Azizkhani, 2018
- Tabaye website content collector team