Palpitations (original) (raw)

Palpitations explained

Palpitations feel like your heart is racing, pounding, fluttering or like you have missed heartbeats. Palpitations can last seconds, minutes or longer. You may feel this in your chest, neck, or throat.

Palpitations can happen at anytime, even if you are resting or doing normal activities. Although they can be unpleasant, palpitations are common and, in most cases, harmless.

Causes of palpitations

Palpitations can be caused by heart conditions including:

• arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)
• cardiomyopathy
• congenital heart conditions
• heart attack
• heart failure
• heart valve disease.

Other causes of palpitations include:

• alcohol
• caffeine
• certain medicines (both prescription and over-the-counter)
• ectopic beats (early or extra heartbeats)
• hormonal changes (due to pregnancy or menopause)
• intense exercise
• recreational drugs
• smoking
• stress and anxiety
• triggering foods (such as spicy or rich food).

They can also be caused by other medical conditions like an overactive thyroid and anaemia (lack of iron).

When to get medical help

You should make an appointment to see your GP if:

• your palpitations last a long time, don't improve or get worse
• you have a history of heart problems
• you're concerned about the palpitations.

You should call 999 if you have palpitations and experience any of the following symptoms:

• severe shortness of breath
• chest pain or tightness
• dizziness and light headedness
• fainting or blackouts.

Diagnosing palpitations

Your GP may arrange for you to have a trace of heart (electrocardiogram/ECG) to check whether the heart rate is regular and at a normal rate. This painless test lasts a few minutes.

If your ECG shows something abnormal, or your symptoms continue to bother you, you may need to have further tests or heart monitoring over a longer period. Visit our ECG page or speak to your doctor if you're concerned about this and similar tests.

Treating palpitations

As palpitations are often harmless, they usually don't need treatment. However, you'll need treatment if tests show your palpitations are caused by an underlying heart condition.

The type of treatment you'll have depends on your condition. For example, if you're diagnosed with an arrhythmia, your doctor might prescribe beta blockers to regulate your heart rate and rhythm.

Are you finding it hard to get medical help?

We know that many of you are experiencing delays to treatment at this time, or have questions and concerns about getting medical help. We've created this set of information to help you with these issues.

• Where to get medical help if your appointment is delayed or cancelled
• Appointment and surgery delays
• When do you still need to get medical help?
• Making the most of phone and video appointments

Preventing palpitations

If you don't need treatment, the easiest way to manage your symptoms at home is to avoid the triggers that bring on your palpitations. This might include:

• avoiding or drinking less caffeinated drinks
• avoiding or drinking less alcohol (no more than the recommended limit of 14 units a week)
• avoiding foods and activities that trigger palpitations in you (try keeping a symptom diary so you can recognise and avoid triggers)
• managing your stress levels
• not smoking or using tobacco products.

Living a healthier lifestyle can be hard at first, but it’s important for your overall quality of life. Visit our healthy living hub to read about how you can start to eat healthier and manage things like smoking and stress today.

Heart Helpline and other support

• speak to our cardiac nurses by phone, callback, email or online chat on Heart Helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• contact us to talk to our customer care advisors, find your local BHF shop and for any comments, compliments and complaints you may have
• sign up to our Heart Matters magazine for online information packed with health and lifestyle advice.