Palpitations Specialist
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NJ Cardiovascular Institute
Kunal Patel, MD, FACC
Board Certified Cardiologist & Varicose Vein Specialist located in Secaucus, Elizabeth, Paramus, and Lakewood, NJ
Heart palpitations can make you feel concerned about your heart, but in most cases, those unusual flutterings in your chest aren’t due to a serious health issue. However, if your heart palpitations are frequent or you have an underlying heart condition, Kunal Patel, MD, at NJ Cardiovascular Institute in Elizabeth and Secaucus, New Jersey, can determine what may be behind the changes in your heartbeat. For an evaluation from a board-certified cardiologist, call the office nearest you or request an appointment online.
Palpitations Q & A
What are palpitations?
Heart palpitations occur when your heart feels like it’s beating abnormally. You may feel as though your heart is skipping a beat, beating too fast, fluttering, or flip-flopping in your chest. You may feel these abnormalities in your chest or your throat, and they can occur when you’re active or at rest.
Many people find heart palpitations worrisome, but in most cases, they’re not a serious health issue.
What causes palpitations?
Your heart palpitations may develop from many causes. Some of the most common include:
- Emotional stress
- Depression
- Strenuous exercise
- Hormonal changes
- Stimulants (caffeine, nicotine)
Less often, heart palpitations develop from an underlying health issue, such as hyperthyroidism or an abnormal heartbeat called an arrhythmia.
You may be at risk of heart palpitations if you suffer from depression or anxiety or if you have panic attacks. Pregnant women are also at greater risk of heart palpitations.
In most cases, heart palpitations don’t last long. But if yours are frequent, Dr. Patel recommends you come to the office for an evaluation.
What can I expect during an evaluation for palpitations?
Dr. Patel conducts a comprehensive evaluation when you come to the office with concerns about heart palpitations. During your examination, he reviews your medical history and symptoms and listens to your heartbeat. He may also recommend diagnostic tests to rule out or confirm an underlying health condition. Some of the tests he may recommend include:
- Blood tests
- Stress test
- Doppler ultrasound
- Echocardiogram
Based on the results of your examination and diagnostic testing, Dr. Patel develops your personalized treatment plan.
What are the treatments for palpitations?
Treatment for palpitations may depend on the underlying cause. To improve heart health, Dr. Patel may recommend you avoid stimulants, such as caffeine, and find healthy outlets for your stress, such as exercise.
If an underlying health condition is responsible for your heart palpitations, Dr. Patel directs your treatment accordingly.
Heart palpitations are scary, but shouldn’t be cause for concern. To ease your mind, Dr. Patel can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to assess heart health and find the underlying cause of your palpitations. Call NJ Cardiovascular Institute today or request an appointment online.
