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Palpitations

Most people are never aware of their heart beating. When the heartbeat is felt, it may be pounding, racing, skipping, or fluttering. Irregular or rapid beats are known as palpitations. These are additional or dropped heart beats. Most palpitations last a short time and are not a result of heart damage if there is no underlying heart problem.

Seek medical care if any of the following symptoms exist with palpitations:

• sweating

• shortness of breath

• nausea or vomiting or

• pain in the chest, arm, back, or jaw

Palpitations can be scary, even when the heart is healthy. causes include:

• anxiety (the most common cause)

• excessive consumption of caffeine products such as colas, coffee, chocolate, tea, or other stimulants such as alcohol, cocaine, or amphetamine

• drug side effects

• exercising at high elevations or over-exercising anywhere

• smoking

• some heart or blood pressure medications

• low blood sugar

• medical disorders such as hyperthyroidism or heart conditions

• premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or

• a lack of certain vitamins such as thiamin

Palpitations are a symptom, not a disease. It is important to determine their cause. A 24 hour heart monitor may be worn to find out if a heart condition is the cause. Once that is excluded, self-care activities may be helpful in avoiding palpitations. These include:

• stop smoking

• decrease or stop drinking alcoholic and caffeinated beverages

• stop taking drugs that may cause palpitations and

• stress reduction programs

Follow up with your healthcare provider if you have palpitations that worry you.

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