• Home
  • About
  • Header Caption
  • Header info.
  • Photo Gallery. Paul Goldfinger photography.
  • Rules

Blogfinger

A Digital Breeze from the Jersey Shore

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« “I’ll never fall in love again.”
Analysis suggests nearly 90K deaths could be prevented this fall and winter by greater uptake in COVID-19 boosters »

Can love cause heart problems?

October 6, 2022 by Blogfinger

Lollypops can do it. Amazon music photo.

Lollypops can do it. Amazon music photo.

By Paul Goldfinger, MD, FACC.   Editor@Blogfinger.net and Dean of the Blogfinger Off-Shore School of Medicine in Ocean Grove, NJ.   2018.

There is a song called “My Heart Goes Pitter Patter” recorded by Simone and Girlfunkle.

 

There is another (below) by Bia, a young singer from Brazil whose song is “My Heart Goes La La La.”

BIA:

https://blogfinger.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/01-my-heart-goes-la-la-la.m4a

 

Rod Stewart has a tune called “Rhythm of My Heart”, while Etta Jones sings “There Goes my Heart” (below)

I know a cardiologist whose heart goes pitter patter every time he drinks coffee.   The symptom is due to extra heart beats (premature contractions) which give that sensation.

If a heart is stimulated, it might react with a fast beat or an erratic beat. The stimulation can be due to intense emotions including love.  Brain related causes result in adrenaline release and activation of the sympathetic nervous system—ie the “flight or fight” reaction; or the stimulation might be due to certain substances such as caffeine, prescription drugs, cocaine, or alcohol.   The effects on the heart may be perceived by the patient or may be “silent.”

A violinist came to see me because, before she would go on stage, she would experience tremors in her hands, sweaty palms,  and palpitations due to “stage-fright.” a typical emotions-based cause of such symptoms.   Other brain related causes of adrenalin release symptoms include fear, anger, severe stress, sudden surprise, threats, and battle.  As for love,–if would have to be pretty intense.

The violinist was successfully treated by blocking the effects of adrenaline using a drug called a “beta blocker” which the musician could take as needed, prior to a concert. The drug would not adversely affect the performance as might a tranquilizer, but would enhance it by removing the fear factor.

The cardiac responses to stimulation do not necessarily indicate heart disease.    It can happen to healthy individuals. But if you have palpitations, a visit to a cardiologist would be wise. He can order a take-home monitor which can record your electrocardiogram (ECG) when your heart goes pitter patter and it will also make a recording if you have a rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia) without symptoms. In either case, the doctor will be able to see what kind of arrhythmia is causing the symptoms, and then a decision can be made regarding what to do about it.

But no doctor will advise giving up love.

ETTTA JONES:

https://blogfinger.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16-there-goes-my-heart.m4a
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print

Posted in Blogfinger Medical Reports, Blogfinger Music Department | Tagged Love causes heart problems on Blogfinger | 1 Comment

One Response

  1. on December 26, 2018 at 1:27 pm Paul Goldfinger MD FACC

    You can buy an at-home ECG monitor which records an ECG rhythm strip by using an inexpensive small device with an app and a cell phone. You don’t have to be able to read it; the strip can be transmitted and read with a report to your doctor. You just turn it on if you are having symptoms.

    I suggest AliveCor https://www.alivecor.com



Comments are closed.

  • Ocean Grove: a really cute small town at the Jersey Shore.

  • Recent comments

    Blogfinger on Quote of the Day on Blogfinger
    Blogfinger on Modern OG history—…
    Paulie D on So why the long face?
    Frank S on Days Ice Cream has new owners.…
    Blogfinger on Blobfinger quickees:…
  • Recent Blogfinger posts:

    • Modern OG history—2017. The old, the new, and the true North End Redevelopment plans… April 20, 2026
    • A mystery shul. * April 20, 2026
    • The Family of Man: The story of two photographs… April 20, 2026
    • AI review of Blogfinger: We review some of the analysis…This computer gets me! (ChatGPT) April 19, 2026
    • “Condo by the Sea.” An amazing bird photograph by Bob Bowné at Sandy Hook. April 19, 2026
  • But who’s counting?

    • 4,868,677 hits
  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 540 other subscribers

Powered by WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


Discover more from Blogfinger

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

 

Loading Comments...