Ask a Doc: Heart palpitations generally not a cause for alarm
Q: What are heart palpitations?
A: The symptoms of heart palpitations are fluttering, beating too quickly or slowly, skipping beats and pounding. You may not just feel them in your heart. You can also feel the fluttering or pounding sensations in your chest, throat or neck. These feelings may occur at any time, whether you’re lying down, sitting down, standing up or walking.
Most people experience these every once in a while, with some people having them more often than others. They usually aren’t serious, but can occasionally be a signal that’s something’s askew in the heart or elsewhere in the body.
While heart palpitations can present themselves in a variety of ways, they also have a variety of causes, most of which aren’t serious. You can experience palpitations for reasons as benign as having too much caffeine, chocolate or alcohol. Heart palpitations can occur due to stress and anxiety, dehydration, fever, low potassium levels, low blood sugar or intense physical activity. Certain medications, such as diet pills, antibiotics, over-thecounter cold meds, thyroid hormone or asthma drugs, also can cause palpitations. Finally, certain medical conditions, like thyroid issues, also can lead to heart palpitations.
Heart palpitations usually aren’t reason for alarm, but if you’re experiencing them regularly or for a long period of time — or they’re accompanied by chest discomfort, fainting, shortness of breath or dizziness — seek medical attention. Though it’s not as common, palpitations can sometimes be a sign of more serious health conditions, including arrhythmia.
If your doctor determines an underlying medical cause for your palpitations, that cause will be treated. In less severe cases, you can take steps to make a recurrence less likely.
› Limit anxiety and stress whenever possible.
› Limit intake of palpitation-inducing foods, drinks, and substances. That may include alcohol, caffeine, nicotine or even chocolate. You don’t necessarily need to cut these items out completely, but it will be helpful to limit them.
› Avoid stimulating medications. Those medications include OTC cough and cold meds, along with certain herbs and supplements.
› Get plenty of sleep.
› Know your medications. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether any of your medications could lead to palpitations.
› Stay hydrated. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty — by then you’re probably already dehydrated. Instead, sip water continuously throughout the day, particularly before and during physical activity.