Hangover heart palpitations: what to know

Palpitations are an awareness of your heartbeat: it may feel fast, pounding, fluttering or irregular. Alcohol, fluid loss, poor sleep, stress and low blood sugar can all make the heartbeat more noticeable. Persistent or recurrent episodes can also occur with problems such as anaemia, an overactive thyroid or an abnormal rhythm, so the symptom alone cannot identify its cause.

Sit down, breathe slowly and sip water or an oral rehydration drink. Eat a small snack if you have not eaten and can swallow safely. Avoid further alcohol, energy drinks, nicotine and strenuous exercise until the sensation has passed. Note when it began, how long it lasted and whether the beat felt regular. Do not take someone else’s heart medicine.

Call emergency services for palpitations with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, new confusion, marked weakness or a sustained very fast or irregular heartbeat. Seek prompt medical advice if episodes recur, last longer than expected, happen without drinking, or you have known heart disease. A clinician may check your pulse, blood pressure, an ECG and blood tests.

Ask what rhythm was detected, whether medicines or health conditions could contribute, and which warning symptoms should send you to urgent care.