What Causes Palpitations?
Many things can cause palpitations. You may feel
palpitations even when your heart is beating normally or somewhat faster than
normal. In these cases, nothing is wrong with your heart.
However, some palpitations are a sign of an actual
heart problem. Sometimes, the cause of palpitations cant be found.
If you start having palpitations, you should see
your doctor to have them checked out.
Causes Not Related to Heart Problems
Strong Emotions
You may feel your heart pounding or racing during
anxiety, fear, or stress. You also may have these feelings if youre
having a panic attack.
Vigorous Physical Activity
Intense activity can make it feel as though your
heart is beating too hard or fast, even though it's working normally. It also
may cause an occasional
premature
(extra) heartbeat.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can cause palpitations.
This is because they can make the heart beat faster or stronger or cause
premature (extra) heartbeats. These conditions include:
- An overactive thyroid
- A low blood sugar level
- Anemia
- Some types of
low
blood pressure
- Fever
- Dehydration (not enough fluid in the body)
Hormonal Changes
The hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy,
menstruation, and the perimenopausal period can sometimes cause palpitations.
These palpitations will likely improve or go away as these conditions go away
or change.
Some palpitations that occur during pregnancy may be
due to anemia.
Medicines and Stimulants
A number of medicines can trigger palpitations
because they can make the heart beat faster or stronger or cause premature
(extra) heartbeats. These include:
- Asthma inhalers.
- Medicines to treat an underactive thyroid. (Too
much thyroid replacement hormone, used to treat an underactive thyroid, can
cause palpitations by causing an overactive thyroid.)
- Medicines to prevent
arrhythmias.
(Medicines used to treat these irregular heartbeats can sometimes cause other
irregular heart rhythms.)
Over-the-counter medicines that act as stimulants
also may cause palpitations. These include decongestants (found in cough and
cold medicines) and some herbal or nutritional supplements.
Caffeine, nicotine (found in tobacco), alcohol, and
illegal drugs (such as cocaine and amphetamines) also may cause
palpitations.
Causes Related to Heart Problems
Sometimes, palpitations are the symptoms of
arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are problems with the speed or rhythm of the
heartbeat. However, less than half of the people who have palpitations have
arrhythmias.
During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast,
too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. An arrhythmia happens when some part of
the hearts electrical system doesnt work as it should.
Palpitations are more likely to be related to an
arrhythmia if you:
- Have had a
heart
attack or are at risk for one.
- Have heart disease or risk factors for heart
disease.
- Have other heart problems, such as
heart
failure,
heart
valve problems, or
heart
muscle problems.
- Have abnormal electrolyte levels. Electrolytes
are minerals, such as potassium and sodium, found in blood and body fluids.
They're vital for normal health and functioning of the body.
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