Palpitation Specialist

What is a heart palpitation?

A heart palpitation is a sensation of having a fluttering, fast-beating, or pounding pulse. Common causes of heart palpitations include prescription medications, vigorous exercise, and stress.

Heart palpitations may feel odd, but they usually aren’t a serious health problem. That said, heart palpitations can occur as a result of an irregular heartbeat. If you regularly experience heart palpitations, and they interfere with your regular activities, don’t wait to seek professional medical help.

What are the symptoms of heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations affect everyone differently, but common telltale signs include:

• Pounding sensations
• Rapid fluttering
• Your heart skipping beats
• A flip-flopping sensation

If you experience heart palpitations, it might also feel like your heart is in your throat or neck. As palpitations get worse, you might also encounter them during periods of rest, when you’re sitting or laying down.

Who is at risk of experiencing heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations affect people of all ages and races, but certain factors may increase your risk, including:

• Being highly stressed
• Having an anxiety disorder
• Experiencing regular panic attacks
• Having a history of heart problems
• Being pregnant
• Taking prescription stimulants

You’re also more likely to experience heart palpitations if you have an overactive thyroid gland, a condition called hypothyroidism.

What is the process for diagnosing heart palpitations?

To diagnose heart palpitations, your Premier Cardiovascular Consultants provider uses a stethoscope to listen to your heart. Your provider also looks for signs that increase your risk of heart palpitations, like a swollen thyroid gland. 

If your provider suspects your palpitations are the result of a more serious heart problem, they might also recommend an electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitoring, or an echocardiogram. Each of these tests provides additional information about the health and overall function of your heart.

What is the process of treating heart palpitations?

Whenever possible, the team at Premier Cardiovascular Consultants recommends conservative measures of care to ease heart palpitations. For example, your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes like managing your stress, avoiding stimulants like caffeine, and getting plenty of rest. 

If your palpitations occur as a result of an underlying heart condition like arrhythmia, your provider develops a custom care plan to correct the condition and improve your quality of life. 

Don’t let heart palpitations prevent you from living an active, healthy lifestyle. Schedule an appointment at Premier Cardiovascular Consultants by calling the office nearest you, or booking one online today.