Heart & Circulation Problems
Signs & Symptoms
Palpitations can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck. With them, it feels like the heart is pounding, racing, and/or fluttering. It can feel like the heart has skipped a beat.
Causes
Most of the time, palpitations are not a serious problem. Common causes include:
* Anxiety. Fear. Stress. Hyperventilation.
* Caffeine. Diet pills. Nicotine. Drugs.
* Exercise.
* Medicines. Examples are beta-blockers, some asthma and cold medicines, and thyroid pills.
Other causes are:
* An arrhythmia (heart rate or rhythm disorder).
* Mitral valve prolapse (MVP). This is a heart valve problem. It may be treated with medicine. It is not usually a serious condition.
* Anemia.
* Hyperthyroidism.
* Low blood sugar.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause.
Questions to Ask
Self-Care / Prevention
* If palpitations occur with exercise, stop the activity. Rest. When you exercise again, gradually increase how long and how intense you do the activity.
* To relieve stress and anxiety, do relaxation exercises.
* Limit or avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
* Don’t take cold/allergy medicines. Don’t take appetite suppressants.
* Call your doctor if rest doesn’t help or if palpitations occur again and again.
Resources
The American Heart Association
800.AHA.USA1 (242.8721)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine