What is the cause of heart palpitations and shortness of breath?
Patient: Hello, Last week I had heart palpitations and shortness of breath and was advised that it was due to my caffeine intake which was lowering the potassium in my body and since then I have had a flushed feeling, hot flashes and tinglining in my right hand..  Why is this happening? Doctor: Hello!Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms seem to be related to an electrolyte imbalance. From the other hand anxiety, triggered also by caffeine intake could explain all your symptoms. I recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical examination and some tests: -resting ECG -blood lab tests (complete blood count, blood electrolytes, thyroid hormone levels, fasting glucose, kidney and liver function tests, etc.). If the tingling in your hand persists and all the above tests result normal, I would recommend performing a nerve conduction tests (electroneurography) to exclude possible pinched nerve in this hand, not related to the other symptoms. Hope to have been helpful!Greetings!Dr. Iliri