Palpitations with dizziness can be caused by various medical conditions, including anxiety, caffeine intake, heart abnormalities, and medication side effects. Diagnosis involves avoiding triggers and tests such as EKGs and blood tests. Treatment options include medication and surgery.
Several medical conditions can be responsible for palpitations with dizziness. Palpitations are felt when the heart beats abnormally, which can be too fast, too slow, or out of its normal rhythm. The associated dizziness is typically caused by a sharp drop in blood pressure during palpitations, which in turn causes a lack of blood being pumped around the body. Examples of conditions that can cause palpitations with dizziness include taking certain medications, caffeine, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrhythmia, and anxiety attacks.
Palpitations are usually felt in the chest, neck or throat and are described as pounding or racing heartbeats. These sensations can occur when the patient is exercising, doing daily routines, or just sitting still. In some cases, the palpitations start slowly and continue to increase, while in other cases they come on suddenly and without warning.
Anxiety is a common cause of palpitations with dizziness. Stress, panic, or fear make the body react, which causes palpitations. Some people are more prone to anxiety attacks than others. Treatment for anxiety may include stress reduction, caffeine elimination, mental health therapy, and anxiety medication.
Caffeine intake is another common cause of palpitations with dizziness. Foods that contain caffeine include tea, chocolate, coffee, many sodas, and some sports drinks. In addition to foods that can cause palpitations, medical conditions not related to the heart such as an overactive thyroid, anemia, dehydration, and hypoglycemia are sometimes responsible for the problem.
Several medications, including over-the-counter sinus remedies, can cause palpitations with dizziness. Medications designed for cough and cold, antihistamines, thyroid medications, high blood pressure, and arrhythmia are all known possible culprits for palpitations. Some dietary supplements can also cause palpitations.
In addition to these simple causes of palpitations accompanied by dizziness, heart abnormalities can also cause the same symptoms. When the cause is heart-related, the patient usually has an accompanying medical condition, such as mitral valve prolapse, heart rhythm problems, or heart disease. Some of these accompanying conditions are serious; others are considered mild.
Diagnosis might involve avoiding any foods or medications that can cause heart palpitations. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the patient is typically referred to a cardiologist for follow-up care. The cardiologist will order tests based on the patient’s symptoms, age, and family history. Tests may include medical pictures to check the structure of the heart, an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check the heart’s reaction to physical stress, wearing a heart rate monitor, and blood or urine tests.
When the initial exam indicates a possible heart defect or disorder, more invasive tests may be done. Examples of such tests include an electrophysiological exam or cardiac catheterization. Once the cause of the palpitations has been found, treatment can begin. Treatment options include beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, blood pressure medications, medication changes, or surgery.
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