Tachycardia and trembling
A common cause of heart palpitations and tremors is psychogenic hyperventilation.Pain, anxiety, nervousness or other psychological stress can lead to a pathological increase in respiratory minute volume by decoupling respiratory regulation from the usual influences of chemical respiratory stimuli in the blood and from the effects of the acid-base balance. As a result of the enormously increased respiration, the carbon dioxide content in the blood drops and the pH value of the blood rises. The low CO2 content and the high pH-value can lead to clinical symptoms, which in their totality are called hyperventilation syndrome.
A tingling sensation in the extremities is common in hyperventilation syndrome. In extreme cases, cramps (tetany) with paw position of the hands may occur. However, hyperventilation is usually accompanied only by trembling, headaches and palpitations; unconsciousness is also possible.
Psychogenic hyperventilation does not have a pathological organic cause for tachycardia. The therapy is carried out by rebreathing the exhaled air by holding a plastic bag. Through the principle of rebreathing, the body absorbs the previously exhaled carbon dioxide, the CO2 level in the blood rises again and the symptoms gradually disappear.
Heart palpitations and trembling occur during psychological stress, exam nerves or too much stress, but not only during hyperventilation. They are often the only symptoms of psychological overload. Tachycardia and trembling can also occur with excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption or in the context of hypoglycaemia of any cause.
Hyperthyroidism also frequently causes palpitations and tremors, especially in the fingers, and is also manifested by restlessness, insomnia, increased sweating, unwanted weight loss and high blood pressure. In the case of hyperthyroidism, there is an oversupply of thyroid hormones, the above-mentioned symptoms result from the excessive effect of the thyroid hormones. Tachycardia in hyperthyroidism is due to an increased sensitivity of the heart to adrenaline mediated by the thyroid hormones and can either be a symptom of atrial fibrillation or an expression of an increased automatism of the sinus node leading to an increase in heart rate.
