Treatment

The treatment depends on the cause and extent of the heart stumble. If the stuttering has occurred in a healthy heart, there is usually no need for treatment as long as it is not accompanied by other symptoms indicating a more severe heart disease and it does not exceed a certain frequency.However, if the patient feels the symptoms are disturbing or even threatening, the heart stumble can also be treated in this harmless form. Particularly in the case of a harmless stumbling of a healthy heart without a tangible organic cause, it is often helpful if the patient uses relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, as this can reduce the possible trigger of internal tension.

In addition, sufficient sleep and exercise as well as a healthy diet and the economical consumption of stimulants such as coffee, nicotine and alcohol are often a proven remedy for a harmless heart stumble. From the field of naturopathy, there are also some preparations that act on the heart and reduce heart stumbling. If a skipped heartbeat is due to inner restlessness or nervousness, it can also be helpful to use calming plant extracts such as hops, valerian or St. John’s wort.

In homeopathy, for example, medicines such as Digitalis purpura, Kalium Carbonicum, Aconitum and Adonis vernalis are used. Herbal and homeopathic preparations should, however, only be used on otherwise healthy people. In the case of a cause outside the heart, the respective underlying disease must of course be treated.

If the stumbling of the heart has occurred due to medication, this should be discontinued if possible and alternatives should be sought. If the heart stumbling really exists in the form of a cardiac dysrhythmia, which has its cause in the heart itself, appropriate medication, which acts directly on the heart, must of course be given. Suitable here are medicines from the group of antiarrhythmic drugs, which are intended to ensure that the heart rhythm returns to a regular rhythm.

Antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into four groups. In principle, the active ingredients of the individual groups act either on ion channels or on the autonomic nervous system, which controls the beat frequency and the sensitivity of the heart. Suitable active substances that act on ion channels are, for example, verapamil, which blocks calcium channels, or verapamil, which blocks sodium channels.

The antiarrhythmic drugs that act on the autonomic nervous system are mainly beta-blockers, which are also known from high blood pressure therapy. Beta-blockers are also a possible option if the heart stumbling is due to high blood pressure or coronary heart disease. In this case, all medications that are also used for high blood pressure therapy are suitable.

In the case of atrial fibrillation, if the antiarrhythmic drug therapy has not helped, it may be necessary to perform electrical cardioversion. In this case, an attempt is made to bring the heart back into a healthy sinus rhythm by means of electrical impulses. In the case of an electrolyte disorder, the cause must be clarified and, if necessary, counteracted with infusions or tablets (e.g. potassium–magnesium tablets).

If the heart stumbling is in most cases a harmless symptom that does not require any treatment, there may also be more serious diseases behind it that need to be treated. If a heart stumbling occurs in a healthy person, one should not panic, but it is advisable that a doctor examines the patient so that nothing serious is overlooked. If there is no organic disorder, it can often already be helpful to reduce tension and stress and to pay attention to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

If there is a cardiac dysrhythmia, it can usually be adjusted well with medication. Often the heart stumbling can also be a symptom of a disease that does not originate in the heart, in this case it is important to think about the thyroid gland and side effects of medication. It is important that in the case of an underlying disease requiring treatment, not only herbal or homeopathic remedies are used, but that the disease is treated in accordance with conventional medicine.