About this topic
Sometimes you may have an awareness of your heart beating. It may feel like your heart is pounding or beating very fast. Sometimes it may feel like your heart is skipping a beat or is fluttering. Doctors may call this feeling a heart palpitation. You may be able to feel your abnormal heart beat in your chest, throat, or neck. ‚
Most of the time, the palpitations will go away after a short time and are not serious. Sometimes, they can be a sign of a more serious problem like an irregular heart beat or arrhythmia. ‚
What are the causes?
- Stress, worry, panic, or fear
- Smoking, caffeine, too much alcohol use, drug abuse
- Some drugs, supplements, or herbals
- Body chemicals like potassium, thyroid hormone, or calcium are out of balance. This may happen if you have an illness like kidney disease. Too much throwing up or loose stool can also cause this problem. So can some drugs you take.
- Heart problems
- Dehydration
- Fever
What can make this more likely to happen?
You are more at risk if you have an abnormal heart rate. People who have problems with low mood or worry are also more likely to have palpitations. So do those who use street drugs. ‚
What are the main signs?
You may feel: ‚
- Your heart skips a beat or flutters
- A pounding sensation in your chest, neck, or throat
- Weak, dizzy, or lightheaded
- Unusual sweating
- Trouble breathing
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will do an exam and ask about your history. Talk to your doctor about how often you feel this kind of heartbeat. Tell your doctor if anything makes it better or worse, like activity or lying down. The doctor may listen to your heartbeat or look for signs of some other health problem. The doctor may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- A Holter or event monitor to check your heart signals for 1 to 3 days
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your care is based on what is causing your palpitations. Some people do not need anything to treat their palpitations. If your palpitations are caused by an irregular heartbeat, you may need to take drugs or have a procedure. Talk to your doctor to learn what is best for you. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Keep your heartbeat normal and steady
What problems could happen?
- Heart failure
- Chest pain
- Heart attack
- Stroke
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Keep a healthy weight. If you are overweight, lose weight.
- Exercise more often. This will improve your bodys blood flow.
- Limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Avoid stress. Think about using guided imagery, yoga, tai chi, etc. to help with relaxation.
- Stay away from drugs that make the heartbeat faster, like those used for colds and cough.
- Avoid caffeine or energy drinks.
- Avoid street drugs like cocaine or methamphetamines.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Problems with breathing. These include change in shortness of breath, wheezing, need to sleep sitting up to be able to breathe, or other breathing troubles.
- Blue or gray skin color
- Sweating
- Pain, pressure, tightness, or heaviness in your chest, arm, neck, or jaw
- Very fast heartbeat
- Trouble breathing with exercise
- Gas pains or heartburn
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
Heart Foundation of Australia ‚
http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/cardiovascular-conditions/Pages/Palpitations.aspx ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hpl/ ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Heart-palpitations/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-08-27 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚