Heart palpitations refers to a sensation of feeling your own heartbeat or pulse. It may feel like a flutter or a pounding sensation. You can feel this sensation in your neck or chest. In some cases, these sensations are not serious and just cause an unpleasant feeling. At other times, they can be a sign of an underlying heart rhythm abnormality or a non-heart-related medical condition. If you have this symptom talk to your doctor. Once the cause of your heart palpitations is known, you can decide on the right treatment approach.
Stress and Exercise
If you are feeling anxious, tense, worried or experiencing another strong emotion, you may experience heart palpitations, says the Cleveland Clinic. Exercise can also cause this symptom. Your body may release too much adrenaline during or after exercise which can speed up the heart temporarily. This reaction may be exacerbated if you are tired and not sleeping well. Palpitations can also come on with no known trigger. If your palpitations occur without any other symptoms, they are most likely not serious. If you are being treated for any kind of heart condition, however, or experience dizziness, chest pain or trouble breathing, you should speak with your doctor.
Caffeine and Medications
According to the University of Iowa, alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee and soda can cause your heart to feel like it is racing. Certain foods such as chocolate that contain caffeine can have the same effect. Cutting back on the beverage or food causing the heart palpitations should resolve the problem. In addition, medications for a cold, asthma or allergies may cause this sensation as a side effect. You also need to check out any herbal remedies or diet pills that you may be taking. Some can act as stimulants and speed up your heart rate.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Medical conditions that stress your body and make your heart work harder can lead to heart palpitations. This includes fever, anemia and thyroid disorders. Changes in levels of hormones during menstruation, menopause or pregnancy can also trigger heart palpitations.
Heart Disease
In some cases, heart palpitations can signal a serious heart-related condition. This includes having an abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia in which the heart beats too fast or too slow. These irregular rhythms may be due to a problem with one of your heart valves. If you have suffered from a heart attack or have heart failure, you may also get palpitations. Doing all you can to keep your heart condition under control should also help to control your palpitations.
