Palpitations are the feeling that your heart is beating hard, fast, or irregular. Some describe it as "pounding," "flip-flopping in the chest," or "skipped beats." Palpitations may occur in someone with or without heart disease.
Heart-related causes:
-
Heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia).
-
Heart valve disease.
-
Disease of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).
-
Coronary artery disease.
-
High blood pressure.
Nonheart-related causes:
-
Certain medicines, such as asthma inhalers and decongestants.
-
Some herbal supplements, energy drinks and pills, and weight loss pills.
-
Illegal stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, crank, methamphetamine, PCP, and ecstasy.
-
Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
-
Health conditions, such as thyroid disease, anemia, anxiety, and panic disorder.
Sometimes the cause can't be found.
Home care
Follow these home care tips:
-
Don't use too much caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco, or any stimulant drugs.
-
Tell your health care provider about any prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, supplements, or herbal medicines you take.
Follow-up care
-
Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised.
Call 911
This is the fastest and safest way to get to the emergency department. The paramedics can also start treatment on the way to the hospital, if needed.
Don't wait until your symptoms are severe to call
-
Chest pain.
-
Shortness of breath.
-
Feeling lightheaded, faint, or dizzy, or losing consciousness.
-
A very irregular heartbeat.
-
A rapid heartbeat that makes you uncomfortable.
-
A slower than usual heart rate along with symptoms.
-
Chest pain with weakness, dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea, or vomiting.
-
Extreme drowsiness, confusion, or weakness.
-
Weakness of an arm or leg, or on one side of the face.
-
Trouble with speech or vision.
When to get medical advice
Contact your health care provider or get medical care right away if you have palpitations that last longer than normal, or are different from your past palpitations.
Find a cardiac specialist
Because every beat matters, our cardiac doctors are dedicated to providing care like no other can.
Related Articles
Hemodialysis Access Bleeding
You have a hemodialysis access in your arm, either an arteriovenous (AV) fistula or an artery to vein graft. It has been bleeding. Blood needs to flow freely through the fistula or graft. As part of your treatment, you are also taking medication that thins your blood. This makes you bleed more easily. It is important to stop your fistula or graft from bleeding as soon as possible.
Dizziness (Uncertain Cause)
Dizziness is a common symptom. It may be described as lightheadedness, spinning, or feeling like you are going to faint. Dizziness can have many causes.
Holter Monitor
A Holter monitor is a small, portable device used to monitor your heart rhythm. You wear it for about 24 to 48 hours while you go about your normal daily activities. Read on to learn more.
Pericarditis
Read on to learn how to care for yourself at home when you have pericarditis.
