Why palpitations occur

You might feel like your heart is thumping, racing, or fluttering. And you could feel this sensation in your chest or your neck. Palpitations can also result from a range of heart arrhythmias.

These are classified by location, and type of heartbeat. A few common types:. If you have a new or existing heart problem, it's vital to see a doctor. Our heart health checklist can help you determine when to seek care. Marine recommends coordinating an electrocardiogram ECG with the irregular heart beat symptoms the patient is having by using a Holter or event monitor. A Holter monitor is a portable machine you would carry in your pocket or small pouch around your neck or waist for 24 to 48 hours.

Electrodes connect your chest to the monitor wires to record your heart rhythms. An event monitor records heart rhythms for a longer span of time about a month.

Your heart rhythm may be changing during the palpitations. Some types of heart palpitations are harmless and resolve on their own without treatment. But in other cases, heart palpitations can indicate a serious condition.

Some heart palpitations are harmless, but they can indicate an underlying illness when you also have:. Seek medical attention right away if you have heart palpitations and a diagnosed heart problem. Also seek medical attention if you have palpitations that occur with other symptoms such as:.

Your doctor will conduct a thorough physical exam to identify a cause. Be prepared to answer questions about your:. If necessary, your doctor may refer you to a heart specialist called a cardiologist.

Tests to help rule out certain diseases or heart problems include:. Treatment depends on the cause of your palpitations. Your doctor will need to address any underlying medical conditions. If your palpitations are due to lifestyle choices such as smoking or consuming too much caffeine, cutting down or eliminating those substances may be all that you need to do.

Ask your doctor about alternative medications or treatments if you think medication may be the cause. Many pregnant women experience heart palpitations because of their increased heart rate. Heart palpitations are usually temporary and harmless sensations, but it's important know know when they could point to a more serious problem.

Learn more about the causes of heart palpitations and whether or not acid reflux is likely to be a cause. Also, a person who has had a heart attack may be more likely to develop palpitations. Heart palpitations are common, and they often last for a few seconds. The tips listed above can help to stop palpitations and reduce their occurrence.

Speak to a doctor if the sensation lasts for longer than a few seconds. This may indicate an underlying condition that requires treatment. Read this article in Spanish. QT prolongation occurs when the heart takes longer to contract and relax than it usually does.

Learn more about the effects of QT prolongation here. Dysrhythmia and arrhythmia are both terms doctors use to describe an abnormal heart rate. Types include bradyarrhythmia or supraventricular arrhythmia. Ventricular tachycardia VT causes the heart to beat at a rate of over beats per minute. VT causes include underlying heart disease. Learn more. Bradyarrhythmia means a slow heart rate with an arrhythmia. It is not always a cause for concern but may signal a serious underlying condition.

Atrial fibrillation creates an irregular heart rhythm through electrical signal malfunctions. Learn more about the causes and symptoms of the…. Ways to stop heart palpitations. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R.