What Is a Heart Palpitation?
A heart palpitation can be a racing, pounding, or fluttering heartbeat.
Look for simple explanations before you worry about palpitations:
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Are you stressed or anxious?
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Do you have a fever or feel unwell?
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Have you had more caffeine or alcohol than usual?
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Is your blood sugar low?
It’s normal to experience occasional heart palpitations due to stress, exercise, and excessive caffeine or stimulants. Write down what you were doing before your heart started racing. This record can help you and your cardiologist determine a possible cause.
You should see a cardiologist (heart doctor) if you often experience skipped heartbeats or palpitations.
What Do Heart Palpitations Feel Like?
Heart palpitations can cause several sensations:
- Feeling of an extra beat or skipped beat
- Flip-flopping
- Fluttering
- Racing or pounding
You may notice these feelings in your chest, neck, or throat. Many people describe feeling like their heart is working too hard or beating irregularly.
When to Worry About Heart Palpitations
You should see a cardiologist if you have heart palpitations often or if they happen alongside the following symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Unexplained fatigue
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
There are several other reasons you should see a cardiologist:
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You feel heart palpitations for more than several seconds.
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You have a medical history of heart disease or risk factors for it.
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Your heart is racing or skipping beats enough to affect your day-to-day activities.
Palpitation Causes
Heart palpitations are often harmless. However, palpitations can sometimes be a sign of a serious heart condition:
Additional Factors
Heart conditions aren’t the only cause of a racing heart. Many factors can cause your heart to race:
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Fever
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Recreational drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, or ecstasy
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Intense physical activity
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Low blood sugar, dehydration, or low blood pressure
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Hormonal changes such as menstruation or pregnancy
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Stress, anxiety, or panic attacks
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Too much alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine
Heart Palpitations After Eating
It's common to notice your heart beat faster after you eat. Your heart works harder to send blood to your stomach for digestion when you eat. Your heart rate may also spike after eating certain foods high in sugar, carbs, salt, or hot spice.
Heart Palpitations When Lying Down
You may notice your heartbeat more when you lie on your left side. Your heartbeat may sound louder if your hand or arm covers your ear. This is generally normal and not a cause for concern.
Heart Palpitations at Night
Some people feel heart palpitations at night after doing certain activities close to their bedtime:
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Consuming caffeine
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Drinking alcohol
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Eating high-sugar foods
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Exercising
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Smoking
How to Prevent Heart Palpitations
You will need treatment from a cardiologist if a heart problem is causing your palpitations. However, you can prevent lifestyle-related heart palpitations with simple changes:
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Avoid foods, drinks, or activities that trigger your palpitations
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Work with our health care provider to manage your blood pressure
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Exercise regularly and stay hydrated
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Limit your intake of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine
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Use relaxation techniques to manage your stress
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Sleep at least seven hours each night
See a Doctor for Heart PalpitationsÂ
A cardiologist can help find the underlying cause of your heart palpitations and offer you appropriate treatment options. If you're concerned about your heart palpitations, call 801-585-7676 to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist at ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ.
