Heart palpitations and pregnancy: what should you know?

Pregnancy changes circulation and places greater demands on the body, so you may become more aware of a faster or stronger heartbeat during activity, emotional stress or while resting. Palpitations can feel like racing, pounding, skipped beats or fluttering. Anaemia, dehydration, thyroid overactivity, low blood glucose and an irregular rhythm such as Atrial Fibrillation are other possible explanations.

The sensation alone cannot show which explanation applies. Your pregnancy stage, medical history, medicines, hydration, sleep and accompanying symptoms help a clinician decide what to check.

Stop and rest when an episode starts. Breathe slowly, drink fluids if you have not been advised to restrict them, and avoid caffeine, nicotine and non-prescribed stimulants. Keep taking antenatal medicines as directed. Record the time, duration, activity, pulse pattern and symptoms, and tell your maternity team about repeated episodes.

Do not start iron, heart or herbal products on your own. A clinician can review your blood count, thyroid symptoms, glucose, medicines and heart rhythm, choosing checks that fit your pregnancy.

Call emergency services for palpitations with chest pain, severe or sudden breathlessness, fainting, blue lips, confusion, severe weakness or a heartbeat that stays very fast or irregular. Contact your maternity service promptly for repeated episodes, dizziness, reduced ability to function or symptoms that concern you, even if they settle.

Could anaemia, dehydration, thyroid changes or a medicine be contributing? How should I measure or describe my pulse? Which symptoms require emergency help, and should my antenatal plan include a heart tracing or blood tests?