Heart Palpitations: Therapy

Therapy for palpitations (heart palpitations) depends on the cause.

General measures

  • Nicotine restriction (refraining from tobacco use) – smoking cessation if necessary.
  • Limited caffeine consumption (max. 240 mg caffeine per day; equivalent to 2 to 3 cups of coffee or 4 to 6 cups of green/black tea).
  • Alcohol abstinence in the evening – especially in the case of nocturnal palpitations.
  • Avoidance of drugs (e.g., amphetamines, cannabis (hashish and marijuana), cocaine use).
  • Get enough sleep: adequate sleep and rest periods help reduce stress. The ideal length of sleep depends on age. Adults should sleep between 7 and 9 hours (see below “Tips for restful sleep”).
  • Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease.
  • Avoidance of psychosocial stress:
    • Stress and strain situations

Vaccinations

The following vaccinations are advised:

  • Flu vaccination
  • Pneumococcal vaccination

Regular checkups

  • Regular medical checkups

Nutritional medicine

  • Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
  • Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things:
    • A total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit daily (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit).
    • Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, i.e. fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
    • High-fiber diet (whole grains, vegetables).
  • Observance of the following special dietary recommendations:
    • Eating regular meals (low blood sugar can cause palpitations).
    • Avoiding too much caffeine, chocolate or alcoholNote: 100 grams of dark chocolate contains about 500 milligrams of theobromine and 70 milligrams of caffeine.
    • Diet rich in:
      • Minerals (magnesium; potassium)
  • Other specific dietary recommendations depending on the cause of palpitations (heart palpitations).
  • Selection of appropriate foods based on the nutritional analysis.
  • See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
  • Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.

Sports Medicine

  • Light endurance training (cardio training).
  • Regular moderate physical training increases vagotonus (state of excitation or tension of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is predominantly influenced by the vagus nerve) and thus leads to a decrease in resting pulse rate. Vagotonus also inhibits AV node excitation conduction (negative dromotropic effect).
  • Preparation of a fitness or training plan with suitable sports disciplines based on a medical check (health check or athlete check).
  • Detailed information on sports medicine you will receive from us.

Psychotherapy