Heart palpitations are noticeable changes in the way the heart beats.
They are not a disease or condition, but rather a symptom of one.
Heart Palpitation Symptoms
People experience heart palpitations in different ways.
Janie Airey / Photodisc / Getty Images
Among the most common are:
These sensations are all felt in the chest.
Palpitations are the second most common reason people see a cardiologist (heart specialist).
Arrhythmias
Most any punch in of heart arrhythmia can cause palpitations.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
The most common are not dangerous.
However, some palpitations are due to dangerous arrhythmias, such asventricular tachycardia.
Among them:
Recap
Heart palpitations are changes in the way the heart beats.
You may experience them as a skipped, too-strong, rapid, or otherwise irregular heartbeat.
Certain other health conditions, medications, and substances can also cause palpitations.
In order todiagnose a heart arrhythmiacorrectly, the palpitations have to be captured in real time during the test.
This can be tricky if your palpitations happen sporadically.
In this case, your cardiologist may do whats calledambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring(AECG).
Ambulatory monitoring systems involve attaching the monitor to your body as you go about your day.
There are several types of ambulatory monitoring.
They include:
Treatment
Heart arrhythmias that cause palpitations often do not need to be treated.
An important exception is ventricular tachycardia, which can lead to cardiac arrest and even death if not addressed.
Never do this without consulting with your doctor first.
Summary
Heart palpitations are noticeable changes in the way the heart beats.
Treatment for heart palpitations will depend on the cause.
You may simply need to make lifestyle changes like cutting back on coffee or quitting smoking.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Wexler R, Pleister A, Raman S.Palpitations: evaluation in the primary care setting.Am Fam Physician.
2017;96(12):784-789.
2018;97(28):e11466.
2022;64(1):e1-e8.
doi:10.4102/safp.v64i1.5449
Francisco-Pascual J, Cantalapiedra-Romero J, Perez-Rodon J, et al.Cardiac monitoring for patients with palpitations.World J Cardiol.
2021;13(11):608-627. doi:10.4330/wjc.v13.i11.608
American Heart Association.Medications for arrhythmia.
American Heart Association.Ablation for arrhythmias.
American Heart Association.Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
