A Racing Heart: When to See Your Doctor

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If you notice that your heart rate is speeding up, or you suddenly feel like your heart is racing, your immediate reaction may be to rush to the emergency room.

At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, we understand how frightening this can be. And the anxiety you feel can make the situation even worse. Here are some guidelines from our team of cardiology specialists for what to do if your heart starts racing.

What’s causing your racing heart?

A “racing heart” actually describes heart palpitations, a condition that makes it feel like your heart is speeding up or pounding in your chest. You may also experience fluttering sensations in your chest.

Some of the most common causes of heart palpitations include:

Fever
Thyroid disorder
Hormone changes
Strenuous exercise
Overuse of caffeine or other stimulants

Strong, emotional responses from stress, anxiety, and even depression can also play a role in heart palpitations.

In some cases, having heart palpitations can be a side effect of a serious heart condition, such as an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.

When does a racing heart need treatment?

Determining when to seek professional medical care for a racing heart is a personal decision. But at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, we recommend evaluating your situation before reacting.

Generally, if the sensation lasts for just a few seconds before going away, you can relax and call your primary care physician for a follow-up.

However, if you feel like your heart is continuing to race, it’s time to seek immediate medical care at the local emergency room.

This visit is especially important if your racing heart is accompanied by symptoms like:

Fainting
Chest pain
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Throbbing in the neck or throat

These symptoms can indicate you have an underlying heart issue that needs medical attention. A proper diagnosis and treatment can reduce your risk for serious complications, including a heart attack, a stroke, or heart failure.

Getting treatment for heart palpitations

The goal of a diagnostic evaluation is to identify the underlying cause of your heart palpitations so that you can get the treatment you need to keep your heart and body healthy.

The providers at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, can work with you on changes you should make to protect your heart health, such as:

Reducing stress
Eating heart-healthy foods
Maintaining a healthy body weight
Limiting caffeine and other stimulants

If you take medications for another condition, and they trigger a racing heart or other symptoms, your provider may be able to recommend an alternative.

If you often feel like your heart is racing without explanation, don’t put off having an evaluation. Call HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, today or request a diagnostic consultation at one of our five locations through our online booking feature.

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Eat Your Way to a Healthier Heart

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Improving and maintaining good heart health starts with the right diet.

At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, our cardiovascular specialists offer a variety of preventive resources to reduce your risk for chronic heart disease and heart attacks. And it all starts what you’re putting into your body.

Learn more about what you should be eating now to boost your long-term heart health.

How your diet affects your heart health

If you’re not eating a balanced, nutritious diet, your heart and overall health can suffer as a result. When you eat a diet that’s high in fat or full of processed foods, you’re likely increasing your risk for chronic health issues that contribute to chronic heart disease, such as:

Diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure

Certain foods can also cause persistent inflammation throughout your body that ultimately affects the health and function of your heart. In some cases, a lack of essential vitamins and nutrients can also cause underlying health issues that impact your heart.

What to eat to achieve a healthy heart

Your diet is important not only for good heart health, but it also contributes to your daily energy levels, your mental clarity, and your moods.

By incorporating a healthier diet into your life and combining it with at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, you can significantly reduce your risk factors for chronic heart disease and a heart attack.

The cardiovascular experts at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut work closely with you to develop a heart-healthy diet before you develop potentially serious medical issues. Here are some of the foods the team encourages people to eat to preserve good heart health.

Fresh vegetables

The recommended intake of leafy greens and other vegetables is a minimum of two servings per day. One cup of spinach is an example of one serving of vegetables that you can easily incorporate into your usual diet. Other healthy vegetable options to promote heart health include cabbage, eggplant, and zucchini.

Fresh fruit

Daily fruit recommendations encourage at least five servings of fresh fruits, like apples, berries, and bananas, to maintain your heart health. If you can’t eat fresh fruits, you can opt for frozen.

Be sure to avoid the empty calories from syrupy-sweet canned fruits that can negatively influence your blood glucose levels.

Whole grains

Whole grains are essential for healthy digestion. The grains provide the fiber your body needs to eliminate waste. However, it’s important that you avoid enriched grains, like white rice and white breads that have been refined and don’t have as much fiber as they should.

Add six to eight servings of whole grains a day to promote good digestion and a healthy heart.

Seeds, beans, and nuts

The fats contained in nuts, seeds, and many beans are the healthy fats your body needs to control cholesterol. To protect your heart’s function, you should add beans, nuts, and seeds to your diet at least several times a week to receive the full benefit of the healthy fats.

Fish

Oily fish contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can actually lower your risk for heart disease. You can still eat beef, poultry, and other meats in moderation as part of a heart-healthy diet, but focus on portion control and opt for fish more often.

Fat-free dairy

You don’t have to give up dairy products entirely to enjoy a heart-healthy diet. You should limit your choices to fat-free yogurts and milk whenever possible, and aim for at least two to three servings a day.

It’s time to get your heart in shape

Our team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, can provide other dietary resources to boost your heart health. We can help you learn more about reading labels, limiting salt, and identifying other heart-healthy ingredients that you can use to strengthen your heart and improve your overall quality of life.

To schedule a consultation to learn more about preventive heart care, book an appointment today by calling HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, at one of our five locations.