What should you know about cold and heart palpitations?

Palpitations may feel like pounding, fluttering, racing or skipped beats. Fever raises the body's demand for circulation, while sweating, vomiting or poor drinking can reduce fluid volume. Anxiety and lack of sleep can also make normal beats easier to notice. Decongestants and some inhaled or combination remedies may stimulate the heart or alter the rhythm.

Palpitations can also occur with conditions such as anaemia, an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar or an irregular rhythm. The sensation alone cannot identify the cause. Note whether it begins at rest or with activity, how long it lasts, and whether the rhythm feels regular.

Sit down, rest and drink fluids if you can do so safely. Avoid nicotine, energy drinks and extra doses of cold remedies. Check the label for decongestants and ask a pharmacist about alternatives. If you have diabetes, follow your sick-day plan and check glucose as advised. Write down the timing, pulse if available, temperature and associated symptoms.

Do not stop prescribed heart or other medicines without advice. Arrange a medical review if episodes recur, last longer than usual, start after a new medicine, or happen with reduced exercise tolerance.

Call emergency services for palpitations with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, collapse, new weakness, confusion or a sustained very rapid or irregular heartbeat. Seek prompt care if you are unable to drink, are passing very little urine, or the sensation continues despite rest.

Could a cold medicine, dehydration or fever explain this? Should I have an ECG or blood tests? Which symptom-relief products are suitable with my medicines, and what should I do if the episode returns?