There are some specific vitamin supplements that are known to cause heart palpitations. Palpitations occur after taking these vitamins for different reasons. First, some people have allergic reactions they may not know about to certain vitamins. Second, there is no telling how sensitive your system might be to certain vitamins. Then there is the issue of overdosing when taking supplements. Speak with your doctor before taking vitamin supplements.
Potassium
When large doses of potassium supplements are taken, there is a risk of developing heart arrhythmia, or palpitations. When the kidneys can't remove excess potassium through urine fast enough, strong side effects, including irregular heartbeat, can occur. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends 4,700 mg a day for female and male adults. Oral doses higher than 18 g taken at one time can cause palpitations even in those with healthy kidneys.
B Complex
B-complex formulations usually include all of the B vitamins as well as folic acid and biotin. It's hard for manufacturers to produce a well-balanced B-complex supplement because individual needs differ. High doses of B-1 and B-6 vitamins can cause heart palpitations in patients with higher than normal adrenal and thyroid functions. Patients with congestive heart disease are also at risk. There is no way of telling how B-complex formulations can affect you, so ask your doctor before taking them.
Vitamin D
It is not vitamin D itself that causes heart palpitations. It's the fact that vitamin D requires magnesium to be turned into its active form in the human body. Heart palpitations are one sign of magnesium deficiency. So, taking vitamin D supplements while you are deficient in magnesium can cause mild to severe heart palpitations. Most people who are magnesium deficient don't know it, so check with your doctor before taking vitamin D.
Amino Acids
Relatively small doses of certain amino acids can cause heart palpitations in patients who are sensitive to them. The amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine have been known to cause palpitations when as little as 200 mg is taken over the course of two to three days in sensitive patients. If you don't know if you are sensitive to amino acids, see a doctor before taking any kind of amino acid supplements containing tyrosine and phenylalanine.
