Common causes of palpitations

Palpitations are sensations that your heartbeat is unusually noticeable. You may feel pounding in the chest, fluttering, racing, or a pause followed by a stronger beat. Emotional stress and Generalised Anxiety Disorder can heighten awareness of a normal heartbeat. Caffeine, nicotine, some decongestants, alcohol, dehydration, fever, and Hypoglycaemia may trigger episodes. Anaemia and Iron Deficiency Anaemia can make the heart work harder. Hyperthyroidism can increase the body’s drive to beat faster, while Atrial Fibrillation is a heart-rhythm condition that can present with an irregular pulse. Heart Failure may cause palpitations alongside breathlessness or swelling, so the complete symptom pattern matters.

Stop strenuous activity and sit somewhere safe. Notice whether the beat feels regular or irregular, how long the episode lasts, what you were doing, and whether it follows caffeine, missed food, stress, illness, or a medicine. Reduce personal triggers such as excess caffeine or nicotine, and drink fluids if you can do so safely. Arrange a medical review for new, recurrent, prolonged, or troublesome palpitations; an examination, pulse check, or heart tracing may help identify the cause.

Call emergency services for palpitations with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, new confusion, or collapse. Seek prompt advice if the heartbeat remains very fast or irregular, episodes are becoming more frequent, or you have known heart disease. Palpitations are a symptom rather than a diagnosis, and a benign trigger cannot be assumed from the sensation alone.

Ask: Does the rhythm sound regular? Could anaemia, thyroid disease, dehydration, low blood sugar, or a medicine be involved? Do I need a heart tracing or monitoring? Which symptoms mean I should seek urgent help?