Ever wondered what causes the heart twinges some people feel? Or why your heart feels like it’s racing for no reason at all? It may be down to heart palpitations.
Heart palpitations are common and cause your heartbeat to feel unusual or uncomfortable. They aren’t usually a sign of anything serious and tend to go away on their own. But if heart palpitations are accompanied by other symptoms, it could be a sign of something more serious, and you should see a specialist.
What do heart palpitations feel like?
Heart palpitations can feel like your heart is racing, fluttering or thumping. They can also cause your heartbeat to become irregular, to skip a beat or to add an extra beat. These feelings can last a few seconds, minutes or even longer.
What causes these heart twinges?
Experiencing heart palpitations isn’t usually anything to worry about. Common causes of heart palpitations can include:
- Stress/anxiety
- Exercise
- Medication
- Caffeine, alcohol and nicotine
- Lack of sleep.
Some women experience heart palpitations during pregnancy, and others during the menopause.
Heart palpitations can also be caused by certain conditions including iron deficiency anemia, arrhythmia and overactive thyroid.
When should I be concerned about heart palpitations?
While they are usually harmless, you should always seek medical attention for heart palpitations if:
- They last longer than a few minutes
- They keep coming back
- They are getting worse
- You have a heart problem
- You have a family history of heart problems.
If heart palpitations are accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath or feeling faint, seek immediate medical attention.
How are heart palpitations treated?
The treatment for heart palpitations will depend on what is causing them.
Lifestyle changes to avoid triggers, such as reducing stress and limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, can help.
Your doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart’s electrical signals to find out the cause. If you have a heart condition, then medication may be prescribed to correct your heartbeat.
Listen to your heart
If heart palpitations are worrying you, speak to your doctor. While there is probably nothing to be concerned about, they may be able to help you identify the cause of the palpitations and ways you can manage them.