Heartbeat sensations

Alternative names:

heart pounding; irregular heartbeat; palpitations

Definition:

A regular pounding or racing of the heart. A conscious awareness of one's own heartbeat. Palpitations can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck. See tachycardia and pulse (heart rate).

Considerations:

Normally the heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute. In people who are physically fit (those who exercise routinely) and in people who take medications that slow the heart, the rate may drop below 55 beats per minute.

When a person gets excited or frightened, has a fever, an overactive thyroid gland, anemia, or other illnesses, the heart may beat faster than 100 times per minute.

Everyone experiences palpitations at some time in life. Pounding of the heart, brought on by strenuous exercise or strong emotions, is rarely associated with serious disease.

Often, people who complain about palpitations do not have heart disease, but are overly concerned about the possibility of heart disease, and become sensitive to normal heart actions. Extra heart beats are commonly noticed just before going to sleep or when resting quietly.

The significance of an abnormal heart rhythm usually depends on the presence of other symptoms of heart disease that accompany it.

Common causes:

• anxiety and fever are the most frequent causes of a rapid heartbeat (other than exercise)
• medication can cause a surge in the heart rate
  • This frequently happens with thyroid pills, caffeine, and appetite suppressants.
  • Antiasthmatics (such as Theo-Dur) and the nicotine in tobacco can also raise the heart rate.

• acidemia (respiratory acidosis or metabolic acidosis)
• being frightened
• congenital heart disease
• overactive thyroid
• hyperventilation
• hypoxemia
• drugs such as antiarrhythmics, beta blockers, caffeine, cocaine, psychotropics, or sympathomimetics
• diagnostic procedures on the heart

Note: There may be other causes of palpitations. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for palpitations, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.