Your heart beats about 36 million times a year. So why it does occasionally marches to a different beat?
Heart palpitations can be bothersome or frightening. It makes you feel like your heart is beating too fast or too hard and is accompanied by shortness of breath and a sensation of constriction in the throat. It can last for a few seconds to hours.
Some of the various causes of palpitations are:
· Too much caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine
· Stress and anxiety
· Pregnancy
· Low blood sugar
· Overactive thyroid
· Use of illicit drugs like cocaine and marijuana
· Anemia
· An electrolyte imbalance in the body
· Vigorous physical activity
· Hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, or just before menopause.
· Medications, including diet pills, decongestants, asthma inhalers, and some drugs used to prevent arrhythmias (a serious heart rhythm problem) or treat an underactive thyroid
However, you should consult your doctor immediately if palpitations are accompanied by symptoms such as sweating, nausea, fainting, blurred vision, chest pain, and dizziness.
There are home remedies that can be helpful in relieving the problem. Continue reading to know more about these.
Drink Water
Drinking an inadequate amount of water can cause heart palpitations. Since your blood contains water, dehydration can make it thicker, thus making it harder for your heart to move it through your veins.
Reach for more fluids if you feel your pulse climb. It will restore your normal heartbeat and reduce dizziness, stress, and anxiety.
Alternatively, you can also splash ice-cold water on your face. The shock might be enough to do the trick.
Soothe Yourself With Aromatherapy
You can sprinkle a few drops of relaxing lavender oil onto a handkerchief then inhale its pleasant aroma. Also, you can try rubbing two drops of bitter orange oil on your chest.
Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap molasses is rich in calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. Due to these, it can be a helpful solution in preventing deficiencies in the body that causes palpitations.
Simply stir 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses into 1 cup of water and drink one a day.
Increase Magnesium Intake
Magnesium is necessary for the smooth functioning of your heart and nervous system and better circulation in the body. A deficiency in this mineral can cause heart palpitations.
To prevent this from happening, consume more magnesium-rich foods such as:
· Bananas
· Low-fat yogurt
· Quinoa
· Peanut butter
· Seeds like sesame seeds and pumpkin
· Nuts like almonds and cashews
· Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and other dark green vegetables
· Cold-water fish
Valerian
Herbalists recommend valerian as a good remedy for heart palpitations. It has a relaxing effect that can help restore your normal heartbeat. Simply add 10 drops of valerian tincture to a glass of water and drink it for quick relief.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has a tonic effect on the heart and circulatory system. It helps to reduce anxiety and works as a mild relaxant.
You can include lemon balm in your cooking or simply add 1 teaspoon of it to a cup of hot water, cover, and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Drink a cup of this tea whenever you have palpitations.
Do Vagal Maneuvers
One function of the vagus nerve is to connect your brain to your heart. Vagal maneuvers stimulate the vagus nerve and can help regulate your heartbeat quickly.
All you have to do is to pinch your nose, close your mouth and then try to breathe out forcibly. This will accelerate your heart rate, and then slow down your heartbeat.
Cinnamon
Found in cinnamon are chemicals and nutrients, such as potassium and manganese, that are good for the heart. Moreover, cinnamon can also reduce high blood pressure, improve blood flow to the heart, and prevent excess buildup of low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol).
If you want to enjoy its benefits, you can simply mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a glass of warm water and drink it once daily for a few days.
