Contents
  • What Are Palpitations?
  • Common Causes of Palpitations
  • When to See a Doctor

Are Your Heart Palpitations a Sign of Something Serious?

Are Your Heart Palpitations a Sign of Something Serious?

What's This About?

Heart palpitations are common, but they can sometimes indicate a serious heart condition. Understanding the causes can help determine if you need to seek medical attention.
Contents
  • What Are Palpitations?
  • Common Causes of Palpitations
  • When to See a Doctor

What Are Palpitations?

Palpitations are the feeling of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heart. This sensation can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck. Though often harmless, palpitations can sometimes signal an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia.

Common Causes of Palpitations

Palpitations can be caused by a variety of factors including stress, caffeine, or an underlying heart condition. Cardiac disorders are a primary concern, but psychiatric conditions like anxiety can also trigger palpitations. Additionally, substance use and certain medications are known to cause these sensations.
Heart palpitations are the sensation of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heart. They can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck and may indicate an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia.

When to See a Doctor

If palpitations are frequent, last for long periods, or are accompanied by symptoms like dizziness or chest pain, it is important to seek medical advice. These could be signs of a more serious heart condition that requires further evaluation.

FAQs

What are palpitations?

Palpitations are the feeling of a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

Are palpitations always serious?

Not always, but they can sometimes signal an underlying heart issue.

What common factors cause palpitations?

Stress, caffeine, heart conditions, and medications are common causes.

When should I seek medical help for palpitations?

Seek help if they are frequent, prolonged, or accompanied by other symptoms.

Key Takeaways

Understanding the causes of palpitations can help determine when medical evaluation is necessary.
Concerned about your palpitations? Talk to Doctronic to learn more about potential causes and treatments.
Additional References
  1. Kroenke K, Arrington ME, Mangelsdorff AD. The prevalence of symptoms in medical outpatients and the adequacy of therapy. Arch Intern Med 1990; 150:1685.
  2. Zimetbaum P, Josephson ME. Evaluation of patients with palpitations. N Engl J Med 1998; 338:1369.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.