Heart palpitations are rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeats. Palpitations can be triggered by stress, exercise, certain medications, or other medical conditions.
Heart palpitations can seem worrisome, but they are generally harmless. You can always prevent them by avoiding the triggers that cause them. In very rare cases, heart palpitations may be a symptom of a serious heart condition that may require treatment.
Symptoms include:
Skipped heartbeats- Fluttering heartbeats
- Fast heartbeats
- Heartbeats that are pumping harder than usual
You may also feel palpitations in your throat and neck and while you are active or at rest. You should seek emergency medical attention if palpitations are accompanied with dizziness, shortness of breath, discomfort, or fainting.
Causes and Treatment
The common causes of heart palpitations include: strong emotions, stress or anxiety; strenuous exercise, caffeine, nicotine, fever, hormone changes, and medications containing pseudophedrine.
Palpitations can be a serious symptom for conditions like hyperthyroidism, arrythmia, tachycardia, bradycardia or atrial fibrillation.
Risk factors for palpitations include stress, anxiety, pregnancy, stimulants, and hyperthyroidism.
If your doctor finds that you have an underlying heart condition in addition to your palpitations, then he/she will prescribe the proper medications and/or treatment. Otherwise, palpitations are generally harmless and can be avoided with certain lifestyle changes.
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