Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations
Palpitation means you become aware of your own heartbeat. Your heart may feel like it's pounding, fluttering, or beating out of rhythm, usually for just a few seconds or minutes. You might notice this feeling in your chest, throat, or neck.
Palpitations can feel unsettling, but in most cases they don't point to any serious problem with your heart.
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
Emergency Warning Signs
Call 999 or go to A&E if you or someone with you has heart palpitations along with:
- dizziness
- sudden shortness of breath
- chest pain
- fainting or loss of consciousness
Contact your GP practice if you have heart palpitations and:
- they keep coming back
- they are getting worse
- they last more than a few minutes
- you have a heart condition
- heart problems run in your family
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
You or someone else has heart palpitations and:
- dizziness
- sudden shortness of breath
- chest pain
- loses consciousness
Contact your GP practice if:
You have heart palpitations and:
- they keep coming back
- they’re getting worse
- they last longer than a few minutes
- you have a heart condition
- you have a history of heart problems in your family
Causes
Common causes of heart palpitations include some lifestyle factors, such as:
- stress
- anxiety
- panic attacks
- not getting enough sleep
- strenuous exercise
- drinking too much alcohol
- drinking a lot of caffeine
- smoking
- taking illegal or recreational drugs
Medicines
Heart palpitations can also happen as a side effect of certain medicines. This includes COPD and asthma inhalers and tablets, as well as tablets for a thyroid problem. You may notice this most when you have just started taking the medicine.
Talk to a healthcare professional
If you think your medicine may be causing your heart palpitations, talk to your healthcare professional about it. Do not stop taking any treatment without talking to your healthcare professional first.
Hormone changes
Changes in hormone levels can cause heart palpitations. This can happen during:
- periods
- pregnancy
- perimenopause
- menopause
Medical conditions
Sometimes, an underlying medical condition can cause heart palpitations. This includes:
- a heart problem, such as arrhythmia
- an overactive thyroid
- dehydration, meaning the body does not have enough fluid
- diabetes
- infections
- iron deficiency anaemia
- a low blood sugar level
- certain types of low blood pressure
Arrhythmia
Heart palpitations can sometimes be a sign of an arrhythmia. Arrhythmia means there is a problem with the heart's rhythm.
Some common types of arrhythmia are atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia. If your doctor suspects you have an arrhythmia, you may be asked to have some tests done to check your heart.
Treatment
Managing heart palpitations
Do
- try to reduce your stress levels
- practise deep breathing exercises
- drink less caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee, energy drinks and some fizzy drinks
- eat a healthy diet
Further support and advice
Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol and drugs can trigger heart palpitations.
You can get advice on giving up smoking through Quit Your Way Scotland. Phone them on 0800 84 84 84 (8am to 10pm, Monday to Friday) for further information.
Drinkline provide advice for anyone who is worried about their own or someone else’s drinking. You can phone them on 0800 7 314 314 (8am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday) for further information.
NHS inform has details of services that provide support for people affected by drugs.
Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.