DR. MANGOLD'S BLOG: Palpitaions, or My Heart is Beating Too Hard

My Quora Answer to:

Why does it feel like a my heart's pounding like how it does after holding your breath too long, and why does my heart make a very hard beat during this?

Michael Mangold, M.D. Medicine and Healthcare & Psychiatric Treatment, Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences (1990)

Answered Thu

You need to see a physician and get an EKG.

The reason I say that is because there are both benign and malignant causes of palpitations, or the feeling that your heart is beating too fast or too hard. One example of the former is an arrhythmia called Supraventricular Tachycardia, which is very common. Ironically, at least in relation to your Question, is that taking a deep breath in, holding it, then bearing down like your having a constipated bowel movement, is actually the cure for this. It is called the Valsalva Maneuver, which is a reflexive response your body produces when it thinks you are under water. Plunging your face into ice water will do the same thing.

Malignant causes include frequent Premature Ventricular Contractions and Atrial Fibrillation. Untreated, they can lead to significant morbidity (disabling events like strokes and an enlarged heart or cardiomyopathy) and even death. Which is why you need to get that EKG. Stat

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About the Author

Michael Mangold

PADI certified scuba diver.

Author/Writer at Upwards Bound2014-present

M.D. Medicine and Healthcare & Psychiatric Treatment, Rosalind Franklin University of Health SciencesGraduated 1990

Lives in Milwaukee, WI2017-present

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