Heart palpitations
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations (/hɑːrt pælpɪˈteɪʃənz/) are the feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart. Stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them.
Etymology
The term "palpitation" comes from the Latin palpitare meaning "to throb".
Definition
Heart palpitations are the sensations of a racing, pounding, or fluttering heartbeat. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may become overly aware of your heartbeat. These feelings can also be felt as a fluttering feeling, skipped heartbeats or a feeling that your heart is "running away".
Causes
Heart palpitations can be caused by:
- Stress, anxiety, panic attacks, or fear
- Stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol
- Exercise
- Fever
- Hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause
- Certain medications
- Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, low blood sugar, anemia, and low blood pressure
Treatment
Treatment for heart palpitations depends on the cause. If they're due to a medical condition, that condition will need to be treated. If they're due to stress or anxiety, relaxation techniques may be recommended. If they're due to a certain medication, your doctor may adjust the dose or switch you to a different medication.
Related Terms
- Arrhythmia: A condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm.
- Tachycardia: A heart rate that's too fast.
- Bradycardia: A heart rate that's too slow.
- Premature contraction: A premature beat that occurs before the normal heartbeat.
- Atrial fibrillation: An irregular and often rapid heart rate that can increase your risk of strokes, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Heart palpitations
- Wikipedia's article - Heart palpitations
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