Heart Palpitations
Related terms: Arrhythmia, Irregular Heart Beat
What are heart palpitations?
A heart palpitation is an irregular heart beat that causes a fluttering sensation in the chest, usually followed
by a feeling that your heart is pounding and racing. Heart palpitations are generally unpleasant, and are felt most
often in the chest, throat or neck. You may sense an irregular pulse, like your heart has "skipped a beat." Other
people describe heart palpitations as having "the bottom drop out" of their chest.
A heart palpitation is a form of arrhythmia and it can be frightening because you might think you're having a
heart attack. Palpitations can be serious because might be a symptom of a thyroid problem or a heart condition
known as a mitral valve prolapse (see below). But in most cases, heart palpitations go away in a few moments with
no physical after effects.
Causes of heart palpitations
 There are a number of possible causes for a heart palpitation,
including:
- Thyroid disorders. Overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism is a typical cause of heart palpitations.
- Mitral valve prolapse. This anatomical condition may cause a distinctive murmur in the heart such as an
abnormal sounding heartbeat and can heart rate irregularities more likely.
- Alcohol. It's supposed to relax you, but it doesn't always work that way. Binge drinking is especially
likely to cause heart palpitations, even among the young.
- Anxiety and fear. It's very typical to feel heart palpitations during a panic attack.
- Anemia
- Fever
- Hyperventilation and low oxygen levels in the blood
- Stress. It's a hard driving, 24/7 world. Do you know anyone these days who says..."I just don't know what
to do with all the time on my hands?"
- Stimulants. Caffeine is a risk factor, so are antihistamines and over-the-counter diet aids. Nicotine and
certain illegal drugs like cocaine are risky too.
- Medications. Thyroid pills, asthma drugs, beta blockers
- Physical Activity. Exercise is good, but it can be overdone. Extremely intense workouts or competitive
activities can cause palpitations.
Who's at risk for heart palpitations?
You're more likely to have heart palpitations if
- you have heart disease when the palpitations begin
- you have significant risk factors for heart disease
- you have an abnormal heart valve
- you have an electrolyte abnormality like a low potassium level
Treating or preventing heart palpitations
If you're experiencing heart palpitations for the first time, definitely talk to your doctor about them. Record
your events, when they happen, how long they last, and so on. This type of information will help your doctor decide
how to deal with them.
Your doctor will want to know about your medical history. A physical exam can help separate relatively harmless
palpitations from more serious disturbances in heart rhythm.
It's not always possible, but the best way to evaluate a heart palpitation is to have it happen when you're
taking an electrocardiogram. It doesn't have to take place in a doctor's office. There are portable monitors
available that can record heart rhythm over a period of time, usually 24 to 48 hours.
Keeping stress to a minimum is the best possible prevention. Breathing exercises and deep relaxation techniques
can help. Taking a yoga class or doing some tai chi regularly can help.
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