“Irregular heartbeat is also called arrhythmia. Usually, it is related to a fast heart rhythm. A heart rate or heart rhythm can be felt in your wrist with two fingertips, and usually a heart rate of 100 is considered a fast heart rate. The heart rate which is fast and irregular in elderly people could indicate significant heart disease. The common cause of irregular heartbeat, which is also called defibrillation, is seen in people with high blood pressure. Usually people with irregular heartbeat feel a fluttering sensation in their chest, also called palpitations. Sometimes excessive caffeine or coffee intake, alcohol, or nicotine can also cause an irregular heartbeat. Sometimes an irregular heartbeat in young people may not be a significant concern. However, if you have any concern, you need to seek a cardiologist.”

“The uncomfortable feeling in the chest during cold weather usually is related to changes in temperature and humidity. We are not clear exactly what’s the cause of this discomfort in the chest. But it is felt that the chest and the ribs rejoins the breastbone. It’s the cartilage called the joint space – that can swell up in cold weather and that can give you some uncomfortable feeling in the chest. However, if people have chest pain, especially when they’re shoveling snow and especially if they’re elderly, that could indicate that they could have a significant heart condition. If the discomfort in the chest increases while increasing workload and it has associated symptoms – difficulty breathing and nausea, vomiting – you should seek medical attention. Just a simple chest discomfort with cold weather could be just related to the cold weather and it should go away and it’s not of a concern.”

“A heart rate is the number of times the heart beats, and usually it is felt in your wrist with two fingertips. Heart rate varies between 60 to 100 beats per minute, so anything less than 60 beats per minute is considered a low heart rate and anything more than 100 is considered a fast heart rate. Usually athletes or people who are physically fit have a very low heart rate, and it is not of concern. Sometimes the heart rate goes less than 40 or 35 beats per minute, and you can feel dizzy and weak. That is a concern, so you need to seek medical attention. Sometimes a fast heart rate can also make you feel weak and could also see be seen in people with fever, anemia, thyroid disease, or a significant heart condition. Normally, a healthy heart rate is about 60 to 70 beats per minute. A lot of times with people with heart disease, we give medications called beta blockers to slow the heart rate, so the heart pumps efficiently and is also in a good healthy condition.”

“Congestive heart failure, also called CHF or heart failure in a simple term, is usually because of an inefficient performance of the heart. The heart has four chambers — two top chambers and two bottom chambers. When you have congestive heart failure, usually the chambers are enlarged and the left bottom wall chamber, called the left ventricle, is working inefficiently. When you have congestive heart failure, there is a water buildup around the heart and in the lungs, abdomen, liver, and the lower extremity. Usually, when you have congestive heart failure, you should take less salt and also probably should take medication called “water pills.” The common cause of congestive heart failure is usually high blood pressure, or a blocked artery because of poor circulation, or significant valve order disease. If you have concerns or questions about congestive heart failure, we recommend you see a cardiologist. I’m a board certified cardiologist at Mount Sinai Doctors in Brooklyn Heights. You can either see me or one of my colleagues who can do an echocardiogram or some other modality to evaluate if you have congestive heart failure and what’s the best way to help and treat heart failure.”