A racing heart, while frightening, is not usually a sign of a serious or harmful condition, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Heart palpitations, or a fast heartbeat, may be caused by stress, certain medical conditions or as a side effect of taking medication. Your doctor can determine if your palpitations are harmless or are a sign of heart disease.
Symptoms
When you have palpitations, it may seem as if you heart is beating much faster or harder than normal, even though you aren't exercising or exerting yourself. You may feel a fluttering in your chest or notice that your heart skipped a beat. These feelings can occur in the chest, neck or throat, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Palpitations accompanied by lightheadedness, fainting, difficulty breathing, confusion, shortness of breath, sweating or pain, or pressure in the arm, chest or jaw can be signs of a serious heart problem or a heart attack. If you have these symptoms, call 911 or visit your local emergency room.
Causes
Palpitations can occur as side effects of herbal supplements or medications, such as decongestants, and asthma and high blood pressure medication. Drinking beverages that contain alcohol or caffeine, or using tobacco products or cocaine may also cause palpitations. If you have anemia, dehydration, an overactive thyroid gland, a fever, suffer from panic attacks, or experience hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menstruation or perimenopause, you may develop palpitations. Palpitations can also occur if you have heart valve disease or arrhythmia. Arrhythmias are changes in the rhythm or rate of your heart. The cause of palpitations cannot be determined in one in every seven people who experience them, according to FamilyDoctor.org.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will diagnose the cause of your palpitations by examining you, asking you questions about your symptoms and evaluating the results of one or more tests. Certain diagnostic tests, such as electrocardiograms or echocardiograms, can provide information about the way your heart beats and the structure of your heart. If you don't experience palpitations during your examination, your doctor may ask you to wear a Holter or event monitor for several days. A Holter monitor records the electrical signals from your heart for 24 to 72 hours, while an event monitor records heart information when you push a button, according to MayoClinic.com.
Treatment
If palpitations occur as side effects of a medication, treatment may be as simple as changing your medication to relieve palpitations. Treating underlying conditions, such as an overactive thyroid, may also relieve the problem, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Reducing caffeine, alcohol or tobacco use may decrease your symptoms. When heart conditions cause palpitations, medication or surgery may be used to control the problem.
Considerations
Using stress release techniques may help reduce palpitations. Medline Plus suggests trying yoga, tai chi, breathing exercises or deep relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety and stress.
