Having palpitations: what you should know

Palpitations are an awareness of your heartbeat that may feel fast, forceful, fluttering, skipping, or irregular. They can be brief or persistent and may be felt in the chest, throat, or neck. A new or recurring pattern deserves attention, especially when it interferes with normal activity.

A palpitation can happen when the heart beats faster after exercise, stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, fever, or poor sleep. Dehydration and low blood sugar can also make a heartbeat more noticeable. Anxiety can produce a racing heart along with trembling, sweating, or a feeling of alarm.

Sometimes palpitations occur with a medical condition that needs assessment, such as anaemia, an overactive thyroid, or an abnormal heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation commonly presents with an irregular or fluttering heartbeat, although an irregular feeling has several possible causes.

Pause and note what you were doing, how the rhythm felt, how long it lasted, and any symptoms that came with it. Drink water if you may be dehydrated, eat a regular meal if you have missed one, and avoid further caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, or stimulant products for the rest of the day.

Arrange a medical appointment if episodes keep returning, last longer than expected, begin at rest, or are changing in pattern. A clinician may check your pulse, blood pressure, medicines and supplements, and may arrange an ECG or blood tests to look for a cause.

Seek emergency medical help now if palpitations come with chest pain, pressure, severe shortness of breath, fainting, near-fainting, new confusion, or marked weakness. These symptoms need prompt assessment because they can signal a problem affecting the heart, circulation, or breathing.

Prompt medical advice is also sensible for palpitations during pregnancy, after starting a new medicine, or when you have known heart disease. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or unwell; ask someone to help or call emergency services.

Ask whether your symptoms suggest a rhythm problem, whether your medicines or supplements could contribute, and which tests would be useful. Mention your family history of heart rhythm conditions, any recent illness, and whether episodes occur with exertion, meals, stress, or lying down.