What are Heart Palpitations? Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Heart palpitations are the sensation that your heart is beating irregularly, too fast, or too hard. You might feel like your heart is skipping beats, fluttering, or pounding in your chest, neck, or throat.

Most of the time, palpitations are harmless and temporary. They're actually quite common and can happen to anyone, even people with perfectly healthy hearts. Your heart naturally changes its rhythm throughout the day in response to different activities, emotions, and situations.

What are the symptoms of heart palpitations?

The main symptom is feeling aware of your heartbeat when you normally wouldn't notice it. This awareness can feel different for different people, and recognizing these sensations can help you better communicate with your doctor.

Here's what you might experience during palpitations:

• A fluttering sensation in your chest, like butterflies
• Feeling like your heart skipped a beat or added an extra beat
• A pounding or thumping feeling in your chest, neck, or throat
• Your heart racing or beating much faster than usual
• A flip-flopping feeling, as if your heart turned over
• Feeling like your heart stopped for a moment

You might notice these sensations while you're resting, active, or even lying down at night. Some people feel palpitations more strongly when they're in quiet environments where they're more likely to notice their heartbeat.

Occasionally, palpitations might come with other symptoms like mild dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort. These additional symptoms don't automatically mean something serious is wrong, but they're worth mentioning to your doctor.

What causes heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations can stem from many different triggers, and often the cause is something completely manageable in your daily life. Understanding these causes can help you identify patterns and potentially reduce how often you experience them.

The most common everyday triggers include:

• Caffeine from coffee, tea, energy drinks, or chocolate
• Strong emotions like stress, anxiety, excitement, or fear
• Physical activity or exercise
• Nicotine from smoking or vaping
• Alcohol consumption
• Large meals or eating too quickly
• Lack of sleep or being overtired
• Dehydration

Hormonal changes can also trigger palpitations, especially during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause. Your heart works harder during these times, which can make you more aware of its beating.

Some medications and supplements might cause palpitations as a side effect. These include certain asthma inhalers, decongestants, thyroid medications, and some herbal supplements. If you've recently started a new medication, this could be the connection.

Medical conditions can sometimes cause palpitations, though this is less common. These might include an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, anemia, or heart rhythm disorders. Most people with palpitations don't have underlying heart problems, but it's worth having this checked if palpitations are new or concerning for you.

In some cases, particularly with younger people, palpitations happen without any clear trigger. This is often called "idiopathic" palpitations, and while they can be bothersome, they're usually not dangerous.

When to see a doctor for heart palpitations?

You should contact your doctor if palpitations are new for you, happen frequently, or come with other symptoms. While most palpitations are harmless, it's always better to get them checked out for peace of mind.

Schedule a regular appointment with your doctor if you experience:

• Palpitations that happen several times a week
• Episodes that last longer than a few minutes
• Palpitations that interfere with your daily activities
• New palpitations if you have a history of heart disease
• Palpitations along with mild chest discomfort or shortness of breath

However, you should seek immediate medical attention if palpitations come with more serious symptoms. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you experience severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, or severe dizziness along with palpitations.

Trust your instincts about your body. If something feels very different or concerning, it's always appropriate to seek medical care, even if the symptoms seem mild.

What are the risk factors for heart palpitations?

Several factors can make you more likely to experience palpitations, though having these risk factors doesn't mean you'll definitely develop them. Understanding your personal risk factors can help you and your doctor create the best plan for managing or preventing palpitations.

Age plays a role, as palpitations become more common as we get older. This happens partly because our hearts naturally undergo changes over time, and we may become more sensitive to triggers we previously tolerated well.

Lifestyle factors that increase your risk include:

• High caffeine intake
• Smoking or using nicotine products
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• High stress levels or anxiety disorders
• Poor sleep habits or sleep disorders
• Being physically out of shape

Certain medical conditions can increase your likelihood of experiencing palpitations. These include thyroid disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Pregnancy also increases the risk due to the extra demands placed on your cardiovascular system.

Some medications, particularly stimulants, decongestants, and certain antidepressants, can make palpitations more likely. Even some over-the-counter supplements and herbal remedies can be triggers for sensitive individuals.

What are the possible complications of heart palpitations?

The good news is that most palpitations don't lead to complications and are more of a nuisance than a danger. However, understanding potential complications can help you know what to watch for and when to seek additional care.

For most people, the main "complication" is anxiety about the palpitations themselves. When you feel your heart beating irregularly, it's natural to worry, which can actually trigger more palpitations and create a cycle of anxiety and symptoms.

Rarely, frequent or prolonged palpitations might indicate an underlying heart rhythm disorder that needs treatment. These conditions, called arrhythmias, can sometimes affect how efficiently your heart pumps blood. Most arrhythmias are treatable, especially when caught early.

In very uncommon cases, certain types of rapid heart rhythms could potentially lead to more serious complications if left untreated. These might include dizziness, fainting, or in extremely rare situations, more significant heart problems.

The key is that serious complications are unusual, and most people with palpitations live completely normal, healthy lives. Regular check-ups with your doctor can help catch any potential issues early.

How can heart palpitations be prevented?

Many palpitations can be prevented or reduced by identifying and avoiding your personal triggers. The most effective prevention strategies focus on lifestyle modifications that support overall heart health.

Start by keeping track of when your palpitations occur and what you were doing beforehand. You might notice patterns like palpitations after drinking coffee, during stressful periods, or when you haven't slept well.

Consider these prevention strategies:

• Limit caffeine intake, especially if you notice a connection
• Practice stress management through relaxation techniques, exercise, or meditation
• Maintain regular sleep habits and aim for 7-9 hours per night
• Stay well-hydrated throughout the day
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption
• Eat regular, balanced meals rather than skipping meals or overeating
• Engage in regular, moderate exercise

If you take medications or supplements, discuss with your doctor whether any of them might be contributing to palpitations. Sometimes, adjusting dosages or timing can make a difference.

Managing underlying health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid disorders can also help reduce palpitations. Work with your healthcare team to keep these conditions well-controlled.

How are heart palpitations diagnosed?

Diagnosing palpitations usually starts with a detailed conversation with your doctor about your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor will want to understand exactly what you're feeling, when it happens, and what might trigger your palpitations.

During your appointment, expect your doctor to ask about your caffeine intake, stress levels, medications, family history of heart problems, and any other symptoms you've noticed. This information helps them determine the most likely causes and the best next steps.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam, including listening to your heart and checking your pulse and blood pressure. They might also look for signs of thyroid problems or other conditions that could cause palpitations.

If needed, your doctor might order some tests to get more information:

• An electrocardiogram (ECG) to record your heart's electrical activity
• Blood tests to check for thyroid problems, anemia, or blood sugar issues
• A Holter monitor, which records your heart rhythm for 24-48 hours during your normal activities
• An event monitor for longer-term monitoring if palpitations are infrequent
• An echocardiogram to look at your heart's structure and function

Many people find that their palpitations don't occur during the brief time of an office visit. Don't worry if this happens to you – it's very common, and your doctor has other ways to gather the information they need.

What is the treatment for heart palpitations?

Treatment for palpitations depends on what's causing them and how much they're affecting your daily life. For many people, the most effective treatment involves lifestyle changes and avoiding known triggers.

If your palpitations are caused by lifestyle factors, your doctor will likely recommend modifications first. This might include reducing caffeine, managing stress better, improving sleep habits, or adjusting medications that could be contributing to the problem.

When palpitations are related to an underlying medical condition, treating that condition often reduces or eliminates the palpitations. For example, treating an overactive thyroid or managing anxiety can significantly improve symptoms.

For palpitations caused by specific heart rhythm disorders, your doctor might recommend:

• Medications to help regulate your heart rhythm
• Beta-blockers to slow your heart rate if it's consistently too fast
• Anti-anxiety medications if stress and anxiety are major triggers
• Procedures like catheter ablation for certain rhythm disorders, though this is rarely needed

Many people find that simply understanding their palpitations and knowing they're not dangerous helps reduce their frequency. When you're less anxious about the sensations, you often experience them less often.

Your doctor will work with you to find the right approach based on your specific situation, symptoms, and overall health.

How to manage heart palpitations at home?

There are several safe and effective techniques you can use at home to manage palpitations when they occur. These methods can help you feel more in control and may even help stop an episode.

When you feel palpitations starting, try these immediate techniques:

• Take slow, deep breaths to help calm your nervous system
• Sit down and try to relax your muscles
• Drink a glass of cold water slowly
• Try the Valsalva maneuver: gently bear down as if you're having a bowel movement for 10-15 seconds
• Splash cold water on your face or place a cold cloth on your face and chest

For ongoing management, focus on lifestyle habits that support heart health. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management can all help reduce how often you experience palpitations.

Keep a palpitation diary to track when episodes occur, what you were doing, what you ate or drank, and how you were feeling emotionally. This information can help you identify patterns and triggers to avoid.

Consider learning relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation. These skills can be helpful both for preventing palpitations and managing them when they occur.

Remember that most palpitations are harmless and will pass on their own. Try not to focus too intensely on your heartbeat, as this attention can sometimes make the sensations feel stronger or last longer.

How should you prepare for your doctor appointment?

Preparing well for your appointment can help your doctor better understand your symptoms and provide the most helpful care. Good preparation also helps ensure you don't forget to mention important details.

Before your appointment, write down specific details about your palpitations. Note when they happen, how long they last, what they feel like, and what you're doing when they occur. Include any triggers you've noticed, like certain foods, activities, or stressful situations.

Bring a complete list of all medications, supplements, and herbal remedies you take, including over-the-counter items. Include the doses and how often you take them, as some of these might be contributing to your palpitations.

Prepare to discuss your lifestyle habits honestly. Your doctor needs to know about your caffeine intake, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, exercise routine, and stress levels to help identify potential causes.

Write down any questions you want to ask, such as:

• What might be causing my palpitations?
• Do I need any tests?
• What lifestyle changes might help?
• When should I be concerned about my symptoms?
• Are there any activities I should avoid?

If possible, bring a family member or friend to help you remember what the doctor says and to provide support. Sometimes having another person there can help you feel more comfortable discussing your symptoms.

What's the key takeaway about heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations are usually harmless sensations that many people experience from time to time. While they can feel concerning, most palpitations are your heart's normal response to everyday triggers like caffeine, stress, or physical activity.

The most important thing to remember is that palpitations are very common and rarely indicate a serious problem. Understanding your personal triggers and making appropriate lifestyle adjustments can often significantly reduce how often you experience them.

However, it's always appropriate to discuss new or bothersome palpitations with your doctor. They can help determine if any tests are needed and provide personalized advice for managing your symptoms.

With the right approach, most people with palpitations can manage their symptoms effectively and continue living full, active lives. Don't let worry about palpitations prevent you from enjoying your daily activities or getting the care you need.