What should you know about consistent heart palpitations?

Consistent heart palpitations need assessment when they persist, recur, or occur with dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or breathlessness. Palpitations may feel like racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipped beats, and the sensation alone cannot identify the cause.

Atrial fibrillation is one rhythm problem that can produce an irregular or racing heartbeat. Dehydration, low blood glucose, stress, caffeine, poor sleep, or fever can make the heart beat faster. Anaemia and iron-deficiency anaemia can reduce oxygen delivery, while hyperthyroidism can increase the body’s metabolic drive. Heart failure may cause palpitations alongside breathlessness, swelling, or reduced exercise tolerance. These possibilities require clinical context and testing.

Note when the episodes begin, whether the rhythm feels regular or uneven, how long they last, and what you were doing. Record related symptoms, recent illness, fluid loss, meals, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, supplements, and medicines. Sit down and breathe slowly during an episode; avoid driving if you feel faint. Arrange medical review for ongoing or unexplained episodes, and do not stop prescribed medicine without advice.

Call emergency services for palpitations with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, or a sustained very fast or irregular heartbeat that makes you feel unwell. Seek prompt review for new episodes, episodes during exertion, increasing frequency, leg swelling, or breathlessness when lying down.

Ask whether you need an electrocardiogram, an ambulatory rhythm monitor, or blood tests for anaemia, thyroid function, glucose, and electrolytes. Ask how to check your pulse during an episode, whether any medicine or supplement is contributing, and what duration or symptom combination should trigger emergency help.