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Depression and heart palpitations: what to know

Where Palpitations is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline
Illustration: Where Palpitations is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline

Short answer

Depression may accompany heart palpitations through stress, sleep disruption or treatment effects, but palpitations can also have physical causes that need assessment.

This answers one question. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an assessment by a licensed doctor.

At a glance

Palpitation feeling
Pounding, fluttering, racing or skipped beats
Useful record
Timing, duration, triggers and associated symptoms

What the combination can mean

Palpitations are sensations such as pounding, fluttering, skipped beats or a heartbeat that feels unusually fast. Low mood can increase awareness of normal heartbeat changes, while anxiety, poor sleep, dehydration, anaemia, thyroid overactivity, low blood sugar and heart rhythm problems can also trigger them. Some medicines, including medicines used for mental health, may affect heartbeat or cause restlessness. A clinician may ask when episodes begin, how long they last, whether the rhythm feels regular, and whether dizziness or chest discomfort occurs. An examination and tests such as an electrocardiogram or blood tests may help identify the cause.

What you can do now

Record the time, activity, symptoms and any caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, illness or new medicine around each episode. Drink fluids regularly and avoid taking extra doses or stopping prescribed treatment without medical advice. Arrange a primary-care appointment if episodes recur, interfere with sleep, or began after a medicine change. Your clinician may consider causes such as Anaemia, Dehydration, Hyperthyroidism or Hypoglycaemia.

When to seek urgent care

Seek emergency help for palpitations with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, marked weakness, confusion or a sustained very rapid or irregular heartbeat. Arrange prompt medical review for new episodes with dizziness, swelling, reduced exercise tolerance or known heart disease, because conditions such as Atrial Fibrillation or Heart Failure may need evaluation.

Questions for your doctor

Could my symptoms be related to a medicine, thyroid problem, anaemia or a heart rhythm? Should I have an electrocardiogram or blood tests? What should I do if an episode returns? How can depression treatment and heart symptoms be managed together?

Find care

General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi

That answer is general. If you want it applied to your own case, these are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.

City
See every listing in Abu Dhabi

Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.

A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.

Questions people ask

Can depression itself cause palpitations?

Depression can coexist with palpitations, especially when stress, poor sleep or anxiety heightens heartbeat awareness, but another cause should not be assumed.

Should I stop my antidepressant if my heart races?

No. Contact the prescriber promptly for advice; stopping suddenly can cause problems and the medicine may not be the cause.

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Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.