Heart palpitations are common and often triggered by stress or caffeine. See a doctor if they are frequent or come with chest pain or fainting.
Common
Palpitations (a feeling of racing, fluttering or skipped beats) are common and usually harmless.
Triggers
- Stress and anxiety.
- Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.
- Exercise.
- Dehydration.
- Hormones.
- Medicines.
Causes needing care
Arrhythmias (AFib), thyroid disease and heart disease.
See a doctor
If frequent, long or with dizziness.
Emergency
Palpitations with chest pain, fainting or shortness of breath. Call 911.
How common
Palpitations are the feeling of a skipped, fast, pounding or fluttering heartbeat. They are among the most common reasons for visits to cardiologists, and most are harmless. Premature atrial contractions (PACs) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) occur in many healthy people, and Holter monitoring finds PVCs in about 50 percent of healthy adults over 24 hours.
- Triggers include caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, exercise, fever, dehydration and some medicines such as decongestants and asthma inhalers.
- Hormonal changes in pregnancy and menopause can cause palpitations.
- Hyperthyroidism and anemia are treatable medical causes.
When to worry
Atrial fibrillation affects at least 2.7 million Americans and raises stroke risk. See a doctor for frequent or prolonged palpitations, heart disease history, or fainting. Call emergency services if palpitations come with chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting or confusion. Tests include ECG, a wearable monitor, blood tests and echocardiogram.
How common
Palpitations are common and usually harmless. Triggers include caffeine, stress, exercise, pregnancy, fever and thyroid problems. Heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation affect about 6 million Americans.
When to worry
See a doctor for palpitations with chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath or lasting episodes. An ECG or monitor can show rhythm.
Common and harmless causes
Heart palpitations are the sensation of a skipped, fluttering or pounding heartbeat. They are often caused by caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, dehydration, fever, exercise and some medicines such as decongestants. Most are benign premature beats.
When to get checked
Medical causes include atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, thyroid overactivity, anemia and electrolyte imbalance. A doctor may order an ECG, a Holter or patch monitor for days to weeks, blood tests and an echocardiogram. Call emergency services (911 in the US) for palpitations with chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath or dizziness. Avoid triggers, keep hydrated, and learn vagal maneuvers only as advised by a clinician.
Based on data from the American Heart Association and the Mayo Clinic
