Overview
Heart palpitations are sensations of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart. They can be triggered by various factors such as stress, exercise, medication, or rarely, a medical condition. Palpitations may feel like the heart is beating too fast, flip-flopping, fluttering rapidly, pounding, or skipping beats. They can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck and may occur during activity or at rest. While heart palpitations are usually harmless, they can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), which might require treatment. If palpitations are frequent, worsen, or occur with symptoms like chest discomfort, pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or severe dizziness, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider.
Understanding the disease
Symptoms
The symptoms of heart palpitations may include a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart sensation. Heart palpitations can also be felt in the throat or neck as well as the chest. They may occur during activity or at rest. The symptoms may include:
- Beating too fast
- Flip-flopping
- Fluttering rapidly
- Pounding
- Skipping beats If heart palpitations occur with chest discomfort or pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, severe dizziness, or other symptoms, it's important to seek emergency medical attention.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing heart palpitations include stress, anxiety disorder or panic attack, pregnancy, certain medicines that contain stimulants, an overactive thyroid gland, and other heart problems such as irregular heartbeats, structural heart changes, previous heart attack, or previous heart surgery. Other factors that may increase the risk of heart arrhythmias include coronary artery disease, other heart problems, and previous heart surgery, high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, thyroid disease, and drug abuse.
Development
The various heart palpitations develop due to the disruption of the normal electrical signals that control the heartbeat. The electrical signals can be affected by various factors, including stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, certain medications, underlying medical conditions, and stimulants like caffeine or nicotine. These factors can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or in an irregular pattern, leading to palpitations. Some of these factors, such as an overactive thyroid gland, structural heart changes, or heart problems like arrhythmias, may require medical treatment to address the underlying cause of the palpitations.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Triage
You should see a doctor if you experience heart palpitations along with any of the following symptoms: chest pain, a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath during activity, chest discomfort, severe shortness of breath, severe dizziness, or fainting. It's also recommended to seek medical attention if heart palpitations occur with fever, depression, or if you have a history of heart disease and the palpitations are frequent or worsening. If you have palpitations that last only a few seconds and are infrequent, they usually don't need to be evaluated. However, if you are unsure or concerned about your symptoms, it's always best to consult a healthcare provider.
Diagnosis
To diagnose heart palpitations, a healthcare provider will typically perform a physical exam and listen to your heart using a stethoscope. They may ask questions about your medical history, symptoms, and any related factors. If necessary, tests may be conducted to confirm an irregular heartbeat, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or a Holter monitor. An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart, while a Holter monitor is a portable ECG device worn for a day or more to record your heart's activity during daily activities. It's essential to be open and honest with your healthcare provider about your symptoms, any other health conditions you have, and any medications or supplements you're taking.
Management and Treatment
Complications
Possible complications of heart palpitations caused by a heart condition include fainting, cardiac arrest, and stroke. Fainting can occur when the blood pressure drops due to a rapid heartbeat. Cardiac arrest is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication where the heart stops beating effectively. In the case of heart palpitations caused by atrial fibrillation, blood can pool and form clots, which can lead to a stroke if a clot breaks loose and blocks a brain artery.
Prevention
Heart palpitations can sometimes be prevented through lifestyle changes and modifications. By adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, you can reduce the risk of heart arrhythmias and other heart disease-related conditions. Some ways to prevent heart palpitations include:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources.
- Staying physically active, engaging in regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Avoiding or limiting caffeine and alcohol intake.
- Reducing stress through relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga.
- Managing any underlying medical conditions, such as an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or other heart problems. It's important to follow your doctor's advice and take medications as directed. Open communication with your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter products, can help prevent potential interactions that could lead to heart palpitations.
Home Remedies
Home remedies for heart palpitations may include:
- Managing stress: Engage in stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or spending time in nature.
- Limiting caffeine: Reduce your consumption of caffeinated beverages to one or two per day.
- Avoiding stimulants: Refrain from using illegal drugs, cocaine, nicotine, amphetamines, and excessive consumption of cold and cough medications containing pseudoephedrine.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or jogging, can help manage stress and improve overall heart health.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can reduce the risk of heart palpitations caused by structural heart changes or other heart problems.
- Getting enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night, as lack of sleep can contribute to stress and palpitations. Remember, if your heart palpitations are frequent, worsening, or occurring with other concerning symptoms, it's essential to consult your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Treatment
Preparing for medical consultation
To prepare for an appointment regarding heart palpitations, you should:
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions and ask your healthcare provider if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restricting your diet if blood tests are ordered.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including those that may seem unrelated to heart palpitations.
- Note any key personal information, including a family history of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, or diabetes, and any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, including vitamins or supplements that you're taking.
- Consider bringing a family member or friend to the appointment for support and to help remember information.
- Prepare a list of questions to ask your healthcare provider. Some questions to ask your healthcare provider during the appointment might include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms?
- Are there other possible causes for these symptoms?
- What tests do I need?
- Should I see a specialist?
- Do I need to avoid any activities or change my diet before my cardiologist appointment? Remember to discuss any other symptoms you're experiencing, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or dizziness, and provide a thorough medical history, including any history of heart rhythm problems. Additionally, ask about any restrictions you should follow and if you should see a specialist.