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Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are feelings of having a fast beating , fluttering or pounding heart. Heart palpitations can be a symptom of a serious condition, such as irregular heartbeat.
They can be bothersome or frightening. They usually aren’t serious or harmful, though, and often go away on their own.
The Symptoms of Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations symptoms may feel like your heart is:
- Racing.
- Pounding.
- Missing a beat.
- Having an extra beat.
- Flip-flopping.
- Fluttering.
You can feel heart palpitations in your chest, as well as in your neck or throat.
Symptoms of palpitations are more likely to be related to an abnormal heart rhythm if you have:
- Heart disease.
- Significant risk factors for heart disease.
- An abnormal heart valve.
Heart Palpitation Causes
Most times, palpitations are not a sign of something serious.There could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed, though. Depending on what’s causing you palpitations, you might be able to take measures to bring them to an end.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a condition in which normally you lose so much body fluid that your body can’t function . When It occurs when you lose more fluids than you take in. Dehydration may happen on a particularly hot day , diarrhea or vomiting. It can also occur if don’t drink enough water, or if you’re taking a medication that increases your pee (urine) output.
Besides a change in heart rate, other signs of dehydration are :
- Thirst
- Dark yellow urine
- Decreased urination
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Sunken eyes
- Irritability
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant, and taking in unusually large amounts—generally more than 10 grams—has been linked to arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats.
Besides coffee, other sources of caffeine include
- Tea
- Soda
- Energy drinks
- Chocolate
- Some supplements and powders
- Some headache medications
Anemia
when you don’t have enough red blood cells or your red blood cells don’t work as Anemia happens they should. Your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Oxygen powers your cells and gives you energy. Without healthy red blood cells that do their job, your body doesn’t get the energy it needs to function. While some types of anemia are short-term and mild, others can last for a lifetime.
Other signs of anemia include:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Headache
- Cold hands or feet
- Pale or yellow skin
Treatment depends on what’s causing the anemia. Anemia can be caused by a number of factors, including iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, or disease.21 Addressing the cause can help with symptoms like heart palpitations.
Medications
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines cause palpitations as a side effect, including:
- Thyroid medication
- Diuretics
- Decongestants
- Asthma inhalers
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Stimulants (such as medications for ADHD)
- Certain blood pressure medications
- Certain herbs and supplements
Talk with a health care provider about the medications you take, their potential side effects, and possible alternatives.
Treatment Options

Not everyone with heart palpitations will need treatment. If they do, it will depend on the type of palpitations, the person’s symptoms, and the cause and amount of palpitations they are experiencing. Options include:
- Emotional causes: A person may find it beneficial to learn how to deal with a panic attack and use breathing techniques to help remain calm.
- Medication: If a person starts to have palpitations while taking certain medications, a doctor may recommend an alternative.
- Lifestyle: The heart palpitations should resolve without treatment, and people may find it beneficial to avoid the triggers.
- Hormonal: Heart palpitations that occur due to hormonal changes are usually temporary.
The doctor may prescribe antiarrhythmic drugs, such as beta-blockers or non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker therapy. Beta-blockers slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure.
If a person has arrhythmia, a healthcare professional may recommend the following medical procedures:
- Catheter ablation surgery: During catheter ablation surgery, a cardiologist will thread an ablation device into the heart through a catheter that passes through a deep vein in the groin, neck, or chest. The device causes scars to form over faulty electrical tracts in the heart. This can help correct the way electrical impulses travel through the heart.
- Electrical cardioversion: This procedure involvesTrusted Source sending an electrical shock into the chest wall to try to stabilize a person’s heart rhythm and rate. A doctor may choose this therapy to “reset” the electrical rhythm of the heart.
- Implantable pacemaker or defibrillator placement: A pacemaker is a permanent cardiac device that monitors and treats electrical conditions of the heart.
Diagnosing the cause of heart palpitations
A doctor may be able to diagnose the cause of a person’s heart palpitations by conducting a thorough physical examination, reviewing their medical history, and ordering diagnostic tests.
physical activity
- stress levels
- health conditions
- prescription medication use
- OTC medication and supplement use
- sleep patterns
- caffeine and stimulant use
- alcohol use
- menstrual history
If necessary, your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist. A cardiologist may order certain tests to help diagnose or rule out certain diseases or heart problems. These tests may include:
- blood tests that check hormone and blood cell levels, as well as potassium and other electrolytes that can affect the rhythm of your heart
- a urine test that measures electrolyte, blood cell, hormone, and blood sugar levels
- a stress test that involves studying your heart while your heart rate is elevated, either by walking briskly on a treadmill or by taking medication that speeds up the activity of your heart
- an echocardiogram that uses sound waves to create live, moving images of your heart
- an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) that records the electrical activity of your heart
- a chest X-ray that helps your doctor see if your heart is enlarged
- a Holter monitor which consists of a small machine you wear that records your heart’s rhythm for 24 to 48 hours
- an electrophysiology study that can check your heart’s electrical function
- a coronary angiography that can check how blood flows through your heart
FAQs list
1. What are the symptoms of palpitations?
Answer : The symptoms of palpitations –
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness
2. What are the causes of palpitation?
Answer : Palpitations can result from many heart conditions includes:
- Arrhythmia ( abnormal heart rhythm)
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart failure
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Other causes of palpitations include:
- Anxiety or stress
- Depression
- Vigorous exercise
- Hormonal changes
- Anaemia
- Hypothyroidism/ Hyperthyroidism
- Alcohol
- Smoking
3. What are the complications of palpitation?
Answer : The complications of palpitation –
- Heart failure
- Cardiac arrest
- Stroke: During irregular or rapid heartbeat of upper chambers of the heart (atrial fibrillation), Causes blood to lodge and form clots.
- What is the treatment for heart palpitations?
Answer : Sometimes, your doctor recommended, blood tests might help determine the cause of your palpitations.
Other useful tests include:
- Chest X-ray
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Echocardiography
- Holter Monitoring
- Event Recording
5 . How are palpitation managed?
- Beta-blockers to control the heart’s rhythm and rate
- Manage stress levels
- Avoid stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine
6. How To Stop Heart Palpitations?
Answer : You can stop heart palpitations by avoiding the triggers that cause the symptoms.
- Try To Relax
- Try Medication or Yoga
- Take Deep Breathing
- Avoid Caffeine and energy drinks
- Avoid Drugs