Heart palpitations are a feeling like your heart is missing heartbeats, racing or pounding. You can feel palpitations in your chest, throat or neck.
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Palpitations can happen at any time, even if you’re resting or doing normal activities.
Anyone can experience them. People can get heart palpitations at different times in their lives. You can get them as a teenager, during pregnancy or during menopause.
Heart palpitations are common. One study found that 16% of people saw their primary care provider because they had palpitations. Also, heart palpitations are one of the most common reasons people visit a cardiologist.
Heart palpitations usually don’t last long. They usually last a few seconds or minutes, but they sometimes last longer.
Symptoms
Heart palpitations symptoms may feel like your heart is:
• Racing
• Pounding
• Missing a beat
• Having an extra beat
• Fluttering
Causes
• Emotions, such as anxiety, stress, fear and panic
• Exercise
• Pregnancy
• Caffeine
• Low levels of sugar, potassium or oxygen
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Blood loss
• Medication such as asthma inhalers, beta blockers you take for high blood pressure or heart disease
• Some herbal and nutritional supplements
• Alcohol
Management and Treatment
The best type of treatment for you depends on what causes your heart palpitations. You may not need any treatment.
If you have heart disease or an abnormal heart rhythm, you may need medication, a procedure, surgery or a device to correct the problem. It’s important to keep all follow-up appointments with your provider.
Credit: Cleveland Clinic (Healthcare System based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States (US)
Photo: Getty Images
For Educational and Informational purposes only. Consult your physician or other qualified health care provider for medical advice or treatment!
