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We have often experienced our heart pounding or racing when we are stuck in some critical situations or moments of extreme thrill. Heart palpitations are a result of the body's adrenaline surges in response to stress, heavy exercise, stimulants like caffeine or nicotine, hormonal shifts, or fever. These sensations are usually brief, benign, and resolve on their own. However, if you experience palpitations that are persistent, severe, or accompanied by dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, further evaluation by an expert cardiologist in Patiala is essential.
While common and frequently linked to simple lifestyle or emotional triggers, they can sometimes indicate underlying heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) or other cardiac conditions. Recognising the triggers and warning signs empowers you to respond swiftly, whether through lifestyle adjustments or medical testing, so you can keep your heart rhythm steady and your mind at ease. In this blog, we are discussing all the aspects related to heart palpitations, which are common among all ages, and what to do about them.
Synopsis
What Are Heart Palpitations?
Heart palpitations are the sensations of a heart that’s racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping beats. You might feel them in your chest, throat, or neck. Though often benign, they can sometimes indicate a rhythm problem that requires medical attention.
Common Triggers Behind Sudden Palpitations
Generally, in the following situations, people have reported experiencing heart palpitations:
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Emotional Stress or Anxiety: Stress-induced adrenaline surges often trigger fluttering or racing heartbeats.
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Stimulants: Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, decongestants, energy drinks, and recreational drugs (e.g., cocaine) can provoke palpitations.
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Physical Factors: Fever, dehydration, low blood sugar, electrolyte imbalances (e.g., low potassium or magnesium), anaemia, or pregnancy can contribute.
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Hormonal Shifts: During pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, or thyroid disorders.
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Cardiac Arrhythmias: Underlying heart conditions like atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, or valve disease might manifest as persistent palpitations.
Heart Conditions That Heart Palpitations May Indicate
1. Cardiac Arrhythmias
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Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): Rapid heart rate originating in the upper chambers, causing palpitations, dizziness, sweating, and chest discomfort.
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Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) or Atrial Flutter: Irregular and fast heart rhythms that disrupt blood flow and increase stroke risk.
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Ventricular Arrhythmias (VT): Fast rhythms arising in the lower chambers; can lead to fainting or sudden cardiac arrest in structural heart disease.
2. Premature Beats (Ectopic Pacemakers)
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Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs): Extra beats originating outside the normal pacemaker. Common and mostly harmless, but frequent PVCs (>20% of total beats) may lead to cardiomyopathy and signal structural issues.
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Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs): Similar premature beats from the atria; often felt as a “skip” in rhythm.
3. Structural Heart Disease
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Conditions like heart failure, cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse, congenital heart defects, and coronary artery disease can cause palpitations.
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MVP syndrome may present with palpitations, dizziness, and ECG changes, sometimes linked to dysautonomia.
4. Inherited/Electrical Syndromes
Rare syndromes like long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome can lead to dangerous arrhythmias, often with palpitations as a warning.
As noted by cardiology specialists, persistent palpitations that occur at rest or with symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, breathlessness, or chest pain warrant prompt evaluation. Hence, it is essential to consult our highly reputed cardiologists in Patiala for timely diagnosis and treatment of the cause of heart palpitations before they worsen.
How to Stop Palpitations Immediately
There is no definite cure to stop palpitations, but certain things can help you manage them and bring them down to a few incidents.
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Perform Vagal Manoeuvres: Try a Valsalva manoeuvre (bear down like during a bowel movement), apply an ice-cold towel to your face, gently press your closed eyelids, or cough—these stimulate the vagus nerve and may slow an overactive heart.
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Practice Relaxation: Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or guided imagery can reduce stress-induced palpitations.
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Avoid Triggers: Cut back on caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, decongestants, and energy drinks.
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Stay Hydrated & Balanced: Drink water and include electrolytes (potassium, magnesium) to correct triggers like dehydration or electrolyte loss.
When to Seek Medical Help
Our bodies are highly engineered, and they start giving us signals before the actual illness comes into the picture. We only need to recognise the red flags in a timely manner to nip the disease in the bud. We recommend that you see our heart specialist immediately if palpitations:
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Are accompanied by chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating
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Persist for minutes, worsen, or occur frequently
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Happens with known heart or thyroid conditions
Our experienced cardiologists in Patiala may prescribe tests like an EKG, bloodwork, Holter monitor, or echocardiogram to determine the root cause and provide timely and personalised treatment. These tests are highly accurate and can help in crafting a personalised treatment plan to eliminate heart palpitations. Consult our cardiology department at Manipal Hospitals, Patiala for expert treatment.
Long-Term Management of Heart Palpitations
This medical condition can be well-managed by modifying our lifestyle and making some conscious decisions regarding eating and conducting ourselves every day. Listed below are some tips that can help you manage heart palpitations:
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Some of the highly effective ways to manage stress are through therapy, exercise, and relaxation techniques
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Another great way to keep the body in a calm and relaxed state is to maintain hydration and consumption of a nutrient-rich diet.
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You must avoid stimulants and allergens that you are aware cause heart palpitations in your case.
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Get checked for the underlying conditions like arrhythmia or thyroid disease, and get timely treatment in the form of medication or procedures.
According to our expert cardiologists, heart palpitations are usually harmless and often relieved with lifestyle adjustments and simple techniques. However, if they’re recurrent or come with concerning symptoms, you must get a consultation immediately. When it's about your health, never hesitate to consult our heart specialist in Patiala to ensure your heart health remains strong.
FAQ's
Most are benign, especially if short-lived. However, if they’re frequent, prolonged, or occur with chest pain, dizziness, fainting, or breathlessness, further evaluation is needed.
Anyone can experience palpitations, but they’re more common in women, people with heart disease, hyperthyroidism, anaemia, or those using stimulants.
Diagnosis starts with a physical exam, ECG, and medical history. Additional tests may include Holter/Event monitors, echocardiography, stress tests, blood tests (electrolytes, thyroid), or even invasive rhythm studies.
Seek immediate care if palpitations are accompanied by fainting, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or heavy sweating.
Benign cases may require lifestyle modifications (avoid triggers: caffeine, alcohol, stress). Clinically significant arrhythmias may need medication, catheter ablation, or pacemakers.
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