What are Heart Palpitations?
Heart palpitations are the feelings of having a fast beating or pounding heart. Some medications, stress, exercise or, in rare cases, a medical condition can trigger them. Even though heart palpitations can be worrying, they are usually harmless. In a few cases, heart palpitations can be a symptom of a serious heart condition, such as arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that may require treatment.
Heart Palpitations Symptoms
Heart palpitations can manifest in the form of following symptoms, such as the heart:
Beating too fast
Fluttering rapidly
Skipping beats
Pounding
Note: Heart palpitations can occur in a resting or active state and can also be felt in the neck chest.
Who Experiences Heart Palpitations?
Heart Palpitations are more common in women as compared to men. However, anyone can experience it. In addition, people can experience heart palpitations at different stages in their life, for instance, as a teenager, during pregnancy or menopause.
Heart Palpitations Causes
There can be a variety of causes for heart palpitations including:
Emotions such as stress, anxiety, fear and panic
Vigorous physical activity
Pregnancy (at times, palpitations during pregnancy are signs of anaemia)
Caffeine
Exercise
Overactive thyroid
Blood loss
Low levels of oxygen, potassium or sugar
Dehydration
Abnormal electrolyte levels
Certain medications, such as beta blockers for heart disease or high blood pressure, asthma inhalers, antiarrhythmic medicines and thyroid drugs.
Decongestants and some other cold and cough medicines
Nicotine
Alcohol
When do People Experience Heart Palpitations?
One can experience heart palpitations at different times in their life. Some people may experience:
Heart palpitations after eating: People may experience heart palpitations after spicy meals or heavy meals rich in fats, carbohydrates or sugar. Heart palpitations after eating certain foods can also be due to food sensitivity. Keep track of daily diet and identify the foods to avoid.
Heart palpitations with anxiety: A person may experience heart palpitations as part of the body’s reaction to panic or feelings of anxiety.
Heart palpitations during the day: Experiencing heart palpitations throughout the day can be a symptom of an underlying condition. A majority of heart palpitations do not last long.
Heart palpitations at night: Heart palpitations at night are similar to daytime palpitations. Drinking alcohol or eating a big meal before going to bed can contribute to the palpitations. It is important to stay hydrated to avoid making the palpitations worse.
Heart palpitations when lying down: Side sleeping increases the pressure in the body and causes palpitations.
Heart palpitations during pregnancy: During pregnancy, the heart rate and the amount of blood circulating in the body increases to support the baby. It is common for pregnant women to experience heart palpitations and they are usually harmless.
When to Worry About Heart Palpitations?
In rare cases, heart palpitations can indicate a more serious health condition. Get immediate medical help if the palpitations are accompanied with the following symptoms:
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Fainting
Chest pain
Stomach, back, neck or jaw pain
Nausea
Sweating
Heart Palpitations Diagnosis
To diagnose heart palpitations, a doctor will conduct a physical examination. The examination may include looking for signs of medical conditions that cause heart palpitations such as a swollen thyroid gland.
A doctor may also discuss medical history and ask about current medications, lifestyle and diet. If the doctor suspects palpitations are caused by an irregular heartbeat or a different heart condition, the tests may include:
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): This quick and painless test measures the electrical activity of the heart. An ECG helps determine if the heart is beating too fast, too slow or not at all.
Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram is a non-invasive exam that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart in motion.
Heart Palpitations Treatment
Unless the heart palpitations are caused by another heart condition, treatment is rarely required. If palpitations are caused due to a heart condition, such as arrhythmia (irregular heart beat), the treatment focuses on treating the underlying condition.
Heart Palpitations Prevention
Depending on the cause of heart palpitations, follow these steps to prevent heart palpitations:
Manage stress levels with deep breathing and relaxation exercises
Limit or avoid alcohol consumption
Avoid or limit caffeine intake
Avoid using nicotine or tobacco products
Exercise on a regular basis
Avoid activities and foods that trigger palpitations
Manage cholesterol and blood pressure levels
FAQs
When should I be worried about heart palpitations?
Heart palpitations are common and are usually a response to stress or anxiety. However, it is important to see a doctor if heart palpitations keep coming back, are getting worse or last longer than a few minutes.
How to relieve heart palpitations?
Lowering the intake of nicotine, caffeine and other stimulants will often help reduce heart palpitations. If this is accompanied with managing stress and anxiety, this helps prevent palpitations and better manage them when it occurs.
Can high Blood Pressure cause palpitations?
A high salt intake results in high blood pressure, which may further cause heart palpitations.
When should I worry about heart palpitations?
Heart palpitations are usually harmless. However, it may be a sign of a serious health condition if it is accompanied with:
Feeling confused, dizzy or lightheaded
Having chest pain
Unusual sweating
Having shortness of breath
Start to have worsened palpitations or have them often
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