Heart palpitations are feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart.
Stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them.
Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they're usually harmless. In rare cases, they can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), that might require treatment.
Symptoms
Heart palpitations can feel like your heart is:
- Skipping beats
- Fluttering rapidly
- Beating too fast
- Pounding
You might feel heart palpitations in your throat or neck as well as your chest. They can occur when you're active or at rest.
When to see a doctor
Palpitations that are infrequent and last only a few seconds usually don't need to be evaluated.
If you have a history of heart disease and have palpitations that occur frequently or worsen, talk to your doctor. He or she might suggest heart-monitoring tests to see if your palpitations are caused by a more serious heart problem.
Seek emergency medical attention if heart palpitations are accompanied by:
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Fainting
- Severe shortness of breath
- Severe dizziness
Causes
Often the cause of your heart palpitations can't be found. Common causes include:
- Strong emotional responses, such as stress, anxiety or panic attacks
- Depression
- Strenuous exercise
- Stimulants
- Fever
- Hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause
- Too much or to little thyroid hormone
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-palpitations/symptoms-causes/syc-20373196
