What causes heart palpitations?
Patient: I have lost 55 pounds since March of this year.  I weigh 228 pounds now.  For the past 2 weeks, I have had heart palpitations.  I started having Employee health record my BP.  I have always had a normal bp of 120/80.  Recently, it's been low for me.  For example, today it was 110/69 and my pulse was 58.  I have no other symptoms/problems other than the palpitations/hesitation.  My physical is scheduled for a week from today.  Should I try to get in earlier to see a doctor or should I just continue monitoring my bp/pulse until next Friday? I'm scared to do the wrong thing, but I don't want to panic either. Thank you for your help. Doctor: Hello and thank you for using HCM.I carefully read your question and understand your concern.But you should not worry,its nothing serious.As you describe, my opinion is that we are dealing with a rhythm issue.Someone can feel strong heart beats for different reasons. It may be a simple sinus tachycardia. This means that the heart is beating faster than 100 beats for minute. Its normal range in a resting condition is between 60-100 beats for minute. When it goes up you may feel a strong heart beat in your chest and a sensation like your head and body is beating too.Another reason for this sensation might be what we call an ekstrasystol.This are electrical heart impulses that generates in some parts of heart different from normal sinus rhythm.This generate that escaped beat that you feel.You have this sensation like a beat is skipping,you may experience palpitations or an anxiety sensation.This extrasistoles may happen from different reasons from simple emotional stress to other pathologies like anemia,hyperthyroidism, extreme weight changes ect.So, my opinion as a cardiologist is that you have nothing to worry and you don't have reasons to precipitate your doctor appointment.If I was your treating doctor and  If these symptoms are interfering your daily live I will recommend some examinations like a blood analysis to exclude anemia,the thyroid hormones,an electrocardiogram, echo cardiography and of course a holter monitoring.This will help us to document and see what happens with heart rhythm. At meantime I will recommend you to avoid coffee,caffeine products because they rise extrasistolic beats. I encourage you to have physical training because sometimes it helps in reducing extrasistoles,tachycardia, even making them disappear.Wish I was helpful.Take good care.Best regards