Doctor, I have palpitations

Caroline sits up quickly. Obviously, the young woman is not the type to let go.

Carolina: These days, my heart starts to beat faster than usual more and more often, and that still worries me a little.

Dr. Pierrat : What time of day do you feel these unusual beats. They occur rather in the morning, rather at the end of the afternoon…?

carolina : This is often during the afternoon. I suddenly feel that it is racing inside. It lasts a few minutes, then it calms down.

The young woman moves back a little in her chair, not really comfortable, and adds that sometimes she even has the impression that her heart is skipping.

Dr. Pierrat :Nothing special going on in your life these days? You or your husband do not have professional problems? Your two children are growing well. They don’t bother you?

Carolina: Not really. I had a busy year, a lot of work in the office, but I’m not complaining, I’m happy to have a good job.

On examination, her blood pressure is completely normal, at 12/8. On the other hand, auscultation indeed reveals some irregularities in the heart rate.

Dr. Pierrat :What you perceive as a little unpleasant, these misfires, as you say, must correspond to extrasystoles. I just spotted a few. Don’t worry, it’s nothing to worry about. These are cardiac contractions that occur a little earlier than the others and are followed by a short pause. That’s why we realize it. Do you drink a lot of coffee?

Carolina: Not really. I have to drink three cups a day, but I like it quite tight.

Dr. Pierrat :And when it comes to meals, are you eating well?

Carolina: Not always. You know, I don’t stop long at lunchtime. I prefer to go home earlier for the children.

Dr. Pierrat : In young women who are a little nervous, as you seem to be since I have been following you, the extrasystoles simply testify to a strong excitability of the heart. It’s quite banal!

Carolina: But my father has a heart condition, am I not likely one day to become like him?

Dr Dominique Pierrat : Do not worry. Your father’s problem is different. We’re still going to do an electrocardiogram to check that everything is working well on the heart side, but I’m not worried.

The examination actually shows a healthy heart with a few minor extrasystoles.

Dr. Pierrat : I’m just gonna give you a little sedative. And watch your meals. Eating too quickly promotes the arrival of air in the stomach, which can cause temporary palpitations. Also decrease your dose of coffee and all this should calm down.

What you need to know about extrasystoles

Extrasystoles correspond to premature contractions of the heart. They may or may not be perceived by the patient. And when this is not the case, it is the electrocardiogram which highlights them. They can cause palpitations, with feelings of brief heart failure, most often without any consequences. However, if they become frequent or are triggered by exertion, you should consult your doctor. This will carry out a complete clinical examination to rule out possible heart rhythm disorders or cardiovascular disease.