Anxiety and heart palpitations are uncomfortable feelings that are commonly felt in everyday life. However, when these feelings of restlessness and heart palpitations become too frequent or intense, they can be a sign of a serious health problem or illness. It should also be noted that anxiety and heart palpitations can be caused by various factors, including medical conditions that require immediate treatment.
What diseases are characterized by feelings of restlessness and heart palpitations, what causes them, and how to treat them? Check out the complete information!
Symptoms and Signs
Anxiety and heart palpitations are related symptoms, and often occur simultaneously. These symptoms can vary for each individual, but generally include:
- Heart palpitations or beating quickly.
- Intense or persistent feelings of restlessness.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- Muscle tension.
- A cold sweat.
- Trembling in certain parts of the body.
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating.
Causes of Anxiety and Heart Palpitations
There are various factors that trigger feelings of anxiety and heart palpitations, including:
- Stress.
- Excessive caffeine consumption.
- Consuming certain medications.
- Lack of nutrition or dehydration.
- Reaction to certain situations.
- Certain medical conditions, such as anxiety disorders, thyroid disorders, or heart problems.
Potential for Serious Illness
Anxiety and heart palpitations tend not to be dangerous if they don't occur continuously. However, if this condition occurs continuously and even becomes worse, it could be a sign that the body is experiencing a serious illness. These diseases include:
- Anxiety Disorders
Constantly feeling restless and having a racing heart can be a sign that a person has a serious mental health problem, such as an anxiety disorder. This condition is usually triggered by excessive fear or worry about something, emotional stress, or a series of external events that can affect a person's mental health. - Psychosomatics
Psychosomatic disorders are conditions where the physical symptoms a person feels are caused or influenced by psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, or emotional problems. Symptoms include headaches, body aches, indigestion, or sleep disturbances. - Hyperthyroid
Hyperthyroidism is a disease caused by the thyroid gland producing too much thyroid hormone. This disease is often experienced by women, where sufferers experience tremors, easy sweating, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, weight loss, diarrhea, disturbances in the menstrual cycle, and fast heartbeat. - Arrhythmia
The next cause of restlessness and heart palpitations is arrhythmia or heart rhythm disturbances. In arrhythmia, the heartbeat can be too fast, too slow, or irregular which can be detected through an EKG (electrocardiogram). - Metabolic Syndrome or Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome or diabetes can make the body more sensitive to stress. This disease is also generally accompanied by high blood glucose levels, hormonal imbalances and cardiovascular complications, which can then trigger feelings of anxiety and heart palpitations.
How to Handle Anxiety and Heart Palpitations
- Consult with a Doctor
If you experience anxiety and heart palpitations, especially if these conditions occur intensely and continuously, it is important to immediately consult a doctor. With consultation, the doctor will carry out a thorough examination to help determine the cause and appropriate treatment plan. - Managing Stress
Good stress management can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and heart palpitations. Use relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to help calm your mind and relax your body. - Healthy lifestyle
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of symptoms of anxiety and heart palpitations. Apply this by maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and avoiding consuming caffeine or drugs that have the risk of triggering symptoms. - Therapy or Medication
In some cases, psychological therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or the use of certain drugs can be recommended to treat anxiety and heart palpitations.
Based on the explanation above, anxiety and heart palpitations are conditions that should not be ignored, especially if the condition is getting worse. This is because intense feelings of anxiety and heart palpitations could be the body's way of alerting you to the presence of certain physical or mental illnesses. Adopt a healthy lifestyle and immediately consult a doctor to get appropriate treatment.
Article written by dr. Kabul Priyantoro, Sp.JP (K), FIHA (Heart and Blood Vessel Specialist at EMC Cikarang Hospital).