In the vast field of medical care, one of the symptoms that patients often mention is palpitation, which is like an invisible alarm that involuntarily reminds people of heart health problems. However, when faced with a series of sophisticated cardiac function tests – including but not limited to electrocardiograms, echocardiograms**, and even more advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – the true cause of this symptom becomes a perplexing mystery. In such cases, the anxiety and concern of patients and their families are often exacerbated, and they are desperate to find explanations and solutions.
Palpitation, as a common subjective discomfort, often raises concerns about heart disease. Despite the fact that multiple cardiac tests show that everything is normal, patients may experience the psychological stress of this uncertainty. The purpose of this article is to explore the non-cardiac factors behind palpitation, help readers understand this phenomenon, and suggest the right strategies. Psychological and Emotional Factors: The influence of emotionsEmotional states, especially anxiety and stress, are among the main non-cardiac factors that cause palpitation. Mood swings can activate the body's stress response, causing a higher heart rate and higher blood pressure, which can trigger feelings of panic. A deeper understanding of this link can help develop effective psychological interventions such as cognitive-behavioural** (CBT) and relaxation training, which have been shown to reduce mood-induced palpitations.
Hyperthyroidism is another non-cardiac condition that can cause palpitations**. In this state, the level of thyroid hormones in the body increases, which increases the heart rate and may cause palpitations. In addition, fluctuations in blood sugar—especially hypoglycemia—can trigger similar symptoms. Understanding the impact of these endocrine factors is critical because they provide a pathway to manage palpitations through medication regulation and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle factors: the influence of daily habitsPoor lifestyle habits, such as excessive intake of caffeinated beverages, lack of adequate exercise, and irregular work and rest, can all contribute to the appearance of panic. These habits affect the heart and nervous system through a variety of mechanisms that can lead to heart palpitations. Therefore, lifestyle modifications—getting enough sleep, getting regular moderate exercise, and limiting caffeine intake—are effective strategies to reduce palpitation.
An imbalance in the autonomic nervous system can sometimes cause palpitations, even though the heart itself is normal. In this case, strategies to improve palpitation include the application of neuromodulation techniques, such as biofeedback and deep breathing exercises, which aim to restore balance to the autonomic nervous system and reduce symptoms of palpitation.