Heart palpitations can feel surprising and scary -- all of a sudden your heart might feel as if it's racing or as if it skipped a beat. If you notice heart palpitations while you're walking uphill, you probably wonder if the exercise itself or something else caused the problem. Fortunately, heart palpitations don't usually herald a serious problem, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, talk with your doctor about your experience to make sure you don't have a serious condition.
Basics
Most people's hearts beat at a rate of between 60 and 100 beats every minute, although seasoned athletes' hearts sometimes beat more slowly, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. When you get palpitations, it means you feel as if your heart is racing or beating very fast. You also may feel as if your heart skips one or two beats, or beats unevenly. If your palpitations come on suddenly as you're walking uphill, slow down or stop for a few minutes to allow your heart rate to return to normal.
Potential Causes
If you haven't worked out frequently lately and you notice heart palpitations while walking uphill, the extra exertion may have caused your problem. Exercise can trigger palpitations, but there are many other potential causes, including stress, too much caffeine and low blood sugar, according to Harvard Medical School. Although it's less likely, heart valve disease or cardiovascular disease also can trigger heart palpitations as your heart beats faster than normal during exercise.
Diagnosis
To rule out more serious causes of heart palpitations, see your physician for a full checkup. She may recommend an electrocardiogram, which is a test that documents your heart's electrical activity and will show any abnormal rhythms or missed beats. If you have chest discomfort or pain along with your palpitations, you may need to take an exercise stress test, during which you'll walk on a treadmill while technicians monitor your heart's activity. If you have a serious medical problem that's triggering the palpitations, these tests should identify it so you can get treated.
Considerations
If your physician rules out serious causes of your heart palpitations, you may be able to control them by making some simple changes to your routine. If you notice heart palpitations primarily when walking uphill on a hot day, you may need to drink more fluids. Dehydration can cause palpitations, according to Harvard Medical School. Stick to uncaffeinated beverages, since caffeine also can contribute to the problem. And if you normally don't eat before you exercise, consider having a small snack -- perhaps some whole-grain crackers or an apple -- to ward off low blood sugar, which also can cause heart palpitations.
