Home Remedies for Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations can have various causes. On the one hand, there are stress, hectic, psychological disorders that have a somatic effect and on the other hand, caffeine and nicotine consumption and the use of stimulant drugs. Treatments for palpitations are varied and range from classical to alternative medicine and simple home remedies.

What helps to treat tachycardia?

Stress and hectic activity should be avoided at all costs when suffering from palpitations. Extensive walks in nature provide the body with sufficient oxygen

Heart palpitations, called tachycardia in medical circles, are treated differently depending on the age of the patient, the main cause and the severity of the condition. In the case of severe tachycardia, which can cause fainting, among other things, defibrillation is performed. The electric shocks thus applied to the heart bring it back to a healthy rhythm. In the case of less pronounced palpitations, medication is administered to stabilize the heartbeat. These are intended to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen-rich blood to the body. In addition, with a procedure called catheter ablation, areas of the heart that are responsible for the too-fast heartbeat can be switched off by electrical current. Catheter ablation is usually used only when medications have no effect or have too weak an effect. Both the restoration of the normal heart rhythm by means of medication and the electrical variant are summarized under the technical term cardioversion. Less frequently, both procedures are used in parallel. The last remedy of classical medicine, which is used for heart palpitations when other drugs and electrical cardioversion do not help, is a drug called amiodarone. While this is more reliable and effective than related drugs in terms of heart disease and itself causes tachycardia less frequently, it is known to have many side effects. These include negative effects on organs such as the lungs, thyroid, eye, stomach and intestines. It can also damage the skin and inhibit vitamin A absorption. Therefore, treatment with amiodarone must always be done under strict medical supervision, if not in a hospital.

Quick help

If the tachycardia has not yet been diagnosed by a primary care physician or a cardiologist, the first step, depending on the severity of the condition, is observation by the affected person himself. If the symptoms do not subside even after a longer period of time, a doctor should be consulted. But for the time being, the affected person can help himself with simple means and behaviors. For example, reducing caffeine consumption or giving up coffee and other caffeinated beverages altogether can bring about a significant improvement in the heart rhythm. Smokers should also limit or give up their vice when experiencing palpitations, because in addition to caffeine, nicotine is a substance that can promote and aggravate tachycardia. Tachycardia usually occurs during stress and anxiety situations. An electrocardiogram (ECG) can graphically show palpitations, extrasystoles, and arrhythmias. Those who ingest cocaine should discontinue use due to the risk of tachycardia, among other things. In addition, cocaine has a negative effect on the entire organism and on cognition. Drugs containing THC, such as marijuana, should also be used less or not at all if tachycardia is present. However, in addition to the intake of harmful substances, a lifestyle that is harmful to health should also be reconsidered and discarded if necessary. Stress and hectic activity, for example, should be avoided at all costs, and the body should be supplied with sufficient oxygen. This can be done by extended walks in nature – if this is not available: in a park. All these quick measures that can inhibit or prevent an emerging tachycardia also have a prophylactic effect.

Alternative remedies

If one is affected by tachycardia and it cannot be eliminated by changing diet and lifestyle, or if these are not possible, there are also various home remedies and other alternative treatments. For example, the leaves of red foxglove and the herb of spring Adonis are heart tonic and have a slowing effect on the heartbeat.However, the use of these plants, which grow in temperate zone forests, should be under medical or naturopathic supervision, as they are toxic. To be on the safe side, herbal medicines based on the aforementioned plants should be used, as they are optimally dosed. In addition, other plants that have a positive effect on the heart are lily of the valley, oleander and other plants similar to digitalis.