Heart palpitations felt in the stomach

People sometimes describe a pulse, flutter, or thumping in the upper abdomen as a stomach palpitation. It may be easier to feel when lying quietly, after a meal, during stress, or when the body is dehydrated. Gas and bowel movement can create a flutter that is not a heart rhythm. Anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia, hyperthyroidism, low blood sugar, and anxiety can make the heartbeat more noticeable. Atrial fibrillation can cause an irregular heartbeat and may be felt in the chest or elsewhere. Heart failure needs attention when a heartbeat sensation accompanies breathlessness, swelling, or unusual exercise intolerance. A sensation in the stomach is not, by itself, a diagnosis.

Sit upright, relax your abdominal muscles, and notice whether the sensation matches your wrist pulse. Record its timing, relation to meals or movement, regularity, and associated symptoms. Drink fluids if appropriate and avoid excess caffeine or nicotine while you are monitoring it. Book a medical appointment if it is persistent, recurrent, painful, or accompanied by a clearly irregular pulse. Do not press hard on a pulsating area.

Seek emergency care for severe or persistent abdominal pain, collapse, fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness, cold sweating, or a new neurological symptom. Urgent assessment is also needed for a pulsating abdominal sensation with sudden severe pain or marked weakness. Call for help rather than driving if you feel unwell.

Ask whether your pulse, blood pressure, medicines, hydration, blood sugar, thyroid function, or blood count should be checked. Mention the exact position or time of day, triggers, duration, and whether the beat felt regular.