Understanding heart palpitations: Causes, symptoms, and when to seek help
Written in association with:
Cardiologist
Published: 10/10/2024
Edited by: Conor Lynch
Heart palpitations are sensations where you feel your heart beating unusually fast, fluttering, skipping a beat, or pounding hard. While they are often harmless and fleeting, they can sometimes indicate an underlying medical issue that requires attention. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and when to seek medical advice can help you manage this unsettling experience.
What are heart palpitations?
Heart palpitations occur when you become unusually aware of your heartbeat. These sensations can feel like your heart is racing, thumping, or skipping beats. You might notice them in your chest, throat, or neck. They can last for a few seconds or persist for minutes. Although palpitations can be alarming, they are typically not life-threatening on their own and can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from lifestyle triggers to medical conditions.
Common causes of heart palpitations
Several factors can trigger heart palpitations. Stress and anxiety are among the most common causes, as the release of adrenaline during stressful situations can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and certain recreational drugs can also cause palpitations. Physical exertion, dehydration, or lack of sleep may contribute to irregular heartbeats as well.
Medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders (both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism), anaemia, and low blood sugar, can lead to heart palpitations. Sometimes, palpitations can also indicate an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) or other cardiovascular issues.
When to seek medical advice
While most heart palpitations are harmless, it is essential to see a healthcare provider if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting, as these may indicate a more serious heart condition like arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, or heart disease.
If palpitations start and stop suddenly and are sustained for more than a minute, they are more likely to be abnormal and potentially treatable by medication and curable by a procedure called ablation.