When do the palpitations occur? In response to reminders of a traumatic event? When you are lying down and resting? When you change your body position? When you feel emotional?Īs part of your physical exam, your doctor will check your temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.Did the palpitations begin or end suddenly?.Is there a regular or irregular pattern to the unusual heartbeat sensations?.Do you feel a racing, pounding, or fluttering?.Does your heart rate feel slow or fast when you have the palpitations?.If you do not have the symptoms at the time of your visit, the doctor will want to know what your pulse was at the time you felt the palpitations and whether or not the rhythm felt regular. An emergency intervention will be performed if necessary to restore normal cardiac rhythm.

If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or other concerning symptoms, and are in the emergency room, your cardiac rhythm will be monitored. Your doctor will take a medical history, perform a physical exam, and do an EKG. Your pulse is more than 100 beats per minute (without exercise, anxiety, or fever).You have new or different heart palpitations.You have risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, or high blood pressure.You feel frequent extra heartbeats (more than 6 per minute or coming in groups of 3 or more).You have shortness of breath, chest pain, unusual sweating, dizziness, or lightheadedness.You, or someone you are with, loses consciousness.If you have never had heart palpitations before, bring them to the attention of your healthcare provider.Ĭontact your GP if you are concerned or if you have the above symptoms Once a serious cause has been ruled out by your doctor, try NOT to pay attention to heart palpitations, unless you notice a sudden increase or a change in them. This information may help your doctor figure out both their seriousness and their underlying cause. Keep a record of how often you have palpitations, when they happen, how long they last, your heart rate at the time of the palpitations, and what you are feeling at the time. Practicing yoga or tai chi on a regular basis can reduce the frequency of your palpitations. Try breathing exercises or deep relaxation (a step-by-step process of tensing and then relaxing every muscle group in your body) when palpitations occur. Reducing stress and anxiety can help lessen the frequency or intensity of your heart palpitations. heart rhythm will sometimes cause a different irregular rhythm).Medications such as thyroid pills, asthma drugs, beta blockers, or anti-arrhythmics.An electrolyte abnormality - for example, low potassium.Significant risk factors for heart disease.Known heart disease at the time the palpitations begin.You are more likely to have an abnormal heart rhythm if you have: However, it depends on whether or not the sensations represent an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). An occasional extra heart beat is known as extrasystole. An unusually slow heart rate is called bradycardia.

If your heart rate is very fast (over 100 beats per minute), this is called tachycardia. In people who exercise routinely or take medications that slow the heart, the rate may drop below 55 beats per minute. Normally the heart beats between 60-100 times per minute. Palpitations can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. The heart's rhythm may be normal or abnormal. You may simply have an unpleasant awareness of your own heartbeat, or may feel skipped or stopped beats. Palpitations are heartbeat sensations that feel like your heart is pounding or racing. Heartbeat sensations Heartbeat - fast Irregular heartbeat Palpitations Heart pounding or racing Rapid heart rate Racing heart

Heart beat fluttering