Heart & Circulation
Palpitations / Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia means your heart rhythm is not normal because the electrical signals that guide each heartbeat get disrupted, leading to a fast, slow, or irregular pattern. Palpitations are the sensations you feel when this happens, and frequent episodes should not be ignored.
Common Symptoms
- Fluttering, pounding, or racing in the chest
- Feeling like your heart “skips” or adds extra beats
- Fast heartbeat or unusually slow heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Feeling weak, washed out, or unusually tired
- Anxiety (often because the sensation is unsettling)
- Fainting or almost fainting
When to Get Urgent Help
Get emergency care right away if palpitations or an irregular heartbeat come with:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Fainting, near-fainting, or severe dizziness
- Confusion
- Heavy sweating that feels out of proportion
Likely Root Causes and Contributors
- Stress and nervous system activation: Acute or chronic stress can trigger the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate and causing palpitations.
- Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias): Fast, slow, or irregular heart rhythms.
- Structural heart conditions: Valve disease, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, or heart failure patterns.
- Thyroid imbalance: Overactive or underactive thyroid function.
- Electrolyte imbalance or dehydration: Low levels of key electrolytes such as magnesium or potassium, or inadequate hydration.
- Medications and stimulants: Decongestants, thyroid medications, asthma inhalers, some antidepressants, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and stimulant drugs.
- Sleep disorders: Sleep apnea and chronic poor sleep.
Patient Pain Points We Often Hear
“It happens at night when I finally lie down. I get nervous to fall asleep because I can feel every beat.”
“I cut coffee and alcohol and it still shows up, so I don’t know what else to change.”
“I’ve had normal tests before, but the symptoms keep happening, and that makes it more frustrating.”
Our Approach to Healing
How We Map, Treat, and Sustain Real Recovery from Palpitations and Arrhythmia with the LAM Method™
Palpitations and arrhythmias can be unsettling because they feel unpredictable. At Lam Clinic, our approach to healing uses the three phases of LAM Method™: Learn the Why, Address the Root, Maximize Longevity. Here’s how we use the LAM Method™ to address Palpitations and Arrhythmia.
Phase 1 of LAM Method™
Learn the Why of Palpitations and Arrhythmia
At Lam Clinic, the first step is identifying the root cause behind your rhythm changes. Palpitations and arrhythmias can stem from structural heart issues, electrical signaling instability, nervous system overload, hormone shifts, metabolic strain, or trigger sensitivity.
With palpitations and arrhythmia, we focus closely on the Cardionomic Circuit, which involves the heart, blood vessels, autonomic nervous system, and adrenal output.
Most useful tests for Palpitations and Arrhythmia:
Core heart rhythm and circulation checks
- EKG (Electrocardiogram)
- Echocardiogram
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Analysis
- Autonomic / Nervous System Testing (ANS testing)
- Carotid Ultrasound
When symptoms suggest circulation or vascular tone issues
- Photoplethysmography Analysis
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
For more information about specific tests and labs used in palpitations and arrhythmia evaluation, you can explore our full service page.
Phase 2 of LAM Method™
Address the Root of Palpitations and Arrhythmia
Once the underlying driver is identified, Lam Clinic builds a paced plan to stabilize your heart rhythm without overwhelming your system.
Lifestyle Foundations
- Hydrate consistently with electrolytes: Prioritize daily fluids and magnesium- or potassium-rich foods.
- Limit stimulants: Reduce caffeine, nicotine, energy drinks, and stimulant medications that can trigger palpitations.
- Eat balanced meals: Combine protein, fiber, and healthy fats with carbohydrates to prevent blood sugar spikes and drops.
- Track and avoid personal triggers: Identify patterns with caffeine, alcohol, large meals, dehydration, or stress.
- Use calming breathing practices: Slow breathing or vagal nerve techniques to reduce nervous system activation.
Targeted Supplement Support
Supplements are selected carefully based on your rhythm pattern and medication use.
- Magnesium – supports cardiac electrical stability and is often first-line support.
- CoQ10 – supports heart muscle energy production.
- Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) – support healthy cardiac cell membrane function and rhythm balance.
IV Therapies
For patients who require additional support, we may incorporate:
- IV Nutrient Therapy
- IV Ozone Autohemotherapy
These therapies may help support cardiovascular function, improve oxygen delivery, and replenish key nutrients that support normal heart rhythm and nervous system balance when deficiencies or poor absorption contribute to symptoms.
This information is educational, not a prescription. Your actual plan is always individualized, adjusted slowly, and refined based on how your body responds.
Phase 3 of LAM Method™
Maximize Longevity
As symptoms stabilize, we focus on keeping your system steady:
- Clear routines for stress, sleep, and hydration
- Simple tracking to spot early changes
- A plan for travel, illness, or high-stress periods
NEM Response Circuits
How Your Body Regulate Stress
Your body handles stress through six interconnected circuits. When even one is out of balance, symptoms can show up in your heart, hormones, energy, and more.
Top Articles
Expert Insights on Palpitations and Arrhythmia
Ready to Start Feeling Better? Let’s figure this out—together.
Take the QuizFrequently Asked Questions
Can Lam Clinic help with palpitations and arrhythmia?
Yes. We first learn the “why,” such as thyroid or hormone shifts, electrolyte or nutrient gaps, blood sugar swings, sleep disruption, inflammation, or medication effects. Then we create a personalized plan to support steadier rhythm long term.
What are the types of arrhythmia?
Arrhythmias are often grouped by where they start and how fast the heart beats. Common types include supraventricular arrhythmias (such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, SVT), ventricular arrhythmias (such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation), and bradyarrhythmias or conduction problems that cause slow heart rates.
When should I seek urgent care for palpitations?
Get urgent help if palpitations come with chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, severe dizziness, confusion, or heavy sweating. If symptoms feel sudden, intense, or different from usual, it is safer to seek care right away.
Can stress or anxiety cause palpitations?
Yes, stress and anxiety can trigger palpitations by activating the body’s fight-or-flight response. If palpitations are frequent or persistent, it is still important to check for other causes.
Do you offer virtual visits and where are you located?
Yes. We offer secure telehealth visits worldwide and in-person care at our clinic in Tustin, California. We serve patients across Orange County (including Irvine, Santa Ana, Orange, Costa Mesa, and Anaheim), as well as individuals throughout the U.S. and internationally.
The Lam Family has helped thousands recover from fatigue and stress for years.
Using advanced diagnostics and whole-body care, the Lam family looks beyond routine labs to uncover the real reasons behind fatigue—like adrenal stress, hormone imbalance, and nutrient depletion. Then, they create a personalized plan to help you heal fully and feel like yourself again.
The Pioneer of Root-Cause Healing & Whole Person Care
Before adrenal fatigue was widely understood, Dr. Michael Lam, M.D. led the way—developing one of the first clinical approaches to diagnose and treat it. His bestselling book, Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, became a lifeline for patients around the world. Today, his children—Dr. Carrie Lam and Dr. Jeremy Lam—carry that legacy forward, building on his foundation with advanced diagnostics and whole-person care for lasting recovery.
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