Experts get to the heart of an all-too-common problem

When it comes to our hearts, what we “feel” isn’t always the best indicator of what’s going on below the surface.

For instance, when we’re given a sudden fright, it can sometimes feel as though our pounding heart is going to leap out of your chest – but it won’t! On the other hand, symptoms that seem quite mild might actually be a sign of an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) that needs to be checked by the experts.

And that’s why, if you have any concerns about your heart or pulse, it’s always best to talk them through with your doctor. If they too are concerned, usually a first step is to refer you for an electrocardiogram (ECG); machines can give a far more thorough picture of what’s going on.

Palpitations are a feeling that your heart seems to be beating faster than normal and some people describe it as skipping a beat or fluttering. Lots of people say they are only really aware of the symptoms when lying in bed and, in most cases, although frightening, palpitations are not dangerous and may be due to anxiety.

However, it’s still important to have the possibility of any underlying heart condition ruled out, so you should make an appointment to see your GP and request an ECG for this purpose.

Panic attacks can be very distressing and even lead some people to attend A&E, feeling as though they’re having a heart attack, especially the first time it happens. It’s important that you try to find out the cause of these attacks to try to prevent them occurring more frequently, sometimes with medications and counselling support.