Palpitation is the sensation that your heart is pounding or racing. You may also feel skipped or stopped beats, a condition called arrhythmia. Palpitations can be felt in your chest, throat or neck. They aren't usually serious, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Palpitations can be caused by exercise, anxiety, fever, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine or diet pills or an imbalance of electrolytes in your bloodstream. They can also be due to physical problems such as an overactive thyroid, anemia, hyperventilation, some medications, mitral valve prolapse or heart disease, according to Drexel University.
Step 1
Reduce the intensity of your exercise. Start gradually and build up the intensity of the exercise slowly while you build your heart strength.
Step 2
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week. Regular exercise can strengthen your heart and help prevent palpitations. The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Cardiovascular Program recommends brisk walking, bicycling, swimming, stationary bicycle or treadmill or a friendly game of basketball, hockey or soccer.
Step 3
Practice breathing exercises every day. Breathing exercises not only provide more oxygen than you get with shallow breathing, but they also reduce stress and anxiety, which are possible causes of palpitations.
Tips and Warnings
- If caffeine gives you palpitations, cut back on caffeinated drinks and foods such as chocolate.
- Keep a record of how often you have palpitations, what seems to cause them, how long they last, your heart rate at the time and what you were doing and feeling at the time. This will help your doctor figure out the cause of the palpitations.
