Definition
Heart stumbling is a popular term that describes a feeling, namely that the heart suddenly gets out of step and “stumbles”. Many people find this feeling unpleasant. Heart stumbling is widespread and often occurs even in healthy people. The reason for the feeling of heart stumbling is a cardiac arrhythmia, which is often completely harmless. It is not uncommon for the symptoms to occur at night.
Causes
In most cases, the cause of what is popularly known as heart stuttering is so-called extrasystole. These are extra beats of the heart, which are not part of the normal heart rhythm, but suddenly fall into this normal rhythm. The normal heartbeat is usually not perceived, but if such an extra beat occurs, an earlier incoming beat or a pause that is longer than usual can be unpleasantly noticed.
Such extra beats can occur in the atrium (supraventricular extrasystoles) or in the ventricle (ventricular extrasystoles) and can be seen in the ECG (electrocardiogram) as extra beats. There are numerous causes for extrasystoles. For example, stimulants such as coffee, nicotine and drugs are not uncommon triggers.
Stress and lack of sleep as well as changes in the sleep-wake rhythm can also be responsible for the occurrence of heart stumbles. Often strong emotional outbursts can also trigger heart flutter. Furthermore, thyroid diseases and medication can also lead to extrasystoles.
However, it should not be overlooked that extrasystoles can also be caused by heart diseases. For example, coronary artery disease, in which a narrowing of one or more coronary arteries occurs, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart. Other diseases of the heart can also cause cardiac arrhythmia.
In the event of more frequent occurrence of heart stumbling, lasting several minutes or accompanying symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or pressure on the chest as well as dizziness, a doctor should be consulted for further clarification of the symptoms. Patients who already have a heart condition and in whom a new heart stumble occurs should also consult their family doctor or cardiologist as soon as possible. These symptoms indicate a magnesium deficiency
