Heart Palpitations: When Your Heart Feels Different
Awareness of your heartbeat—whether it's racing, fluttering, or skipping beats—can be frightening. Our specialists find the cause and provide relief.
While palpitations are often benign, they should always be evaluated to rule out serious heart conditions.
What are Palpitations?
Palpitations are the uncomfortable awareness of your heartbeat. People describe them as fluttering, pounding, racing, skipping, or flip-flopping in the chest. Palpitations can be caused by normal heart rhythms (sinus tachycardia from exercise or emotion), extra beats (premature contractions), or abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias like SVT, AFib). While often benign, palpitations can indicate serious cardiac conditions and deserve evaluation. Causes also include anxiety, thyroid disorders, caffeine, medications, and electrolyte imbalances.
Common Misconception
Palpitations are just anxiety and nothing to worry about.
Medical Reality
While anxiety is a common cause, palpitations can indicate: (1) Arrhythmias—SVT, AFib, premature beats; (2) Thyroid disease—hyperthyroidism causes racing heart; (3) Electrolyte imbalances—low potassium or magnesium; (4) Medications—stimulants, decongestants, some antidepressants; (5) Caffeine and alcohol; (6) Structural heart disease. In Dubai, high stress levels, caffeine consumption, and energy drinks contribute significantly. Always get palpitations evaluated.
Common Accompanying Symptoms
- Awareness of heartbeat (fluttering, pounding, racing)
- Sensation of skipped beats
- Sensation of heart 'jumping' or 'flip-flopping'
- Rapid heartbeat
- Slow heartbeat
- Heart 'pausing'
- Associated with: dizziness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath
New or persistent palpitations—especially with dizziness, chest discomfort, or fainting—require cardiac evaluation.
What May Be Causing Your Palpitations
Palpitations require investigation for these common underlying conditions.
Biological Mechanisms
Palpitations occur when you become aware of your heartbeat due to: (1) Increased force of contraction—you feel the stronger beat; (2) Irregular rhythm—you feel the 'skips' and 'pauses'; (3) Rapid heart rate—you feel the fast, regular pounding; (4) Ectopic beats—premature contractions feel like a 'flip-flop'; (5) Structural changes—enlarged heart or valve problems change flow dynamics. The sensation travels via cardiac nerves to consciousness, making you aware of normally imperceptible activity.
Contributing Factors
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
Extra beats from ventricles felt as 'skips' or 'flops'
Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs)
Extra beats from atria, usually benign
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
Episodes of rapid regular heartbeat
Atrial Fibrillation
Irregularly irregular rhythm, may indicate underlying disease
Hyperthyroidism
Excess thyroid hormone increases heart rate and contractility
Environmental Triggers
- Stress and anxiety
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Lack of sleep
Dietary Factors
- Excessive caffeine
- Energy drinks
- Dehydration
- Low blood sugar
Lifestyle Factors
- Intense exercise
- Smoking
- Certain medications
How We Identify the Cause
Evaluating palpitations requires capturing the heart rhythm during symptoms.
Our Approach
At Healers Clinic, we approach palpitations systematically. First, we determine if the cause is cardiac (arrhythmia), metabolic (thyroid, electrolytes), or behavioral (anxiety, caffeine). Most palpitations are benign, but we rule out serious conditions first. Treatment is tailored to the cause—arrhythmias may need medication or ablation, thyroid problems need endocrine treatment, and anxiety needs stress management. Our goal is to find the cause and provide relief.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Purpose: Assess heart rhythm at one point in time
Shows: Arrhythmias, conduction problems
Holter Monitor
Purpose: 24-48 hour continuous monitoring
Shows: Frequency and type of palpitations
Event Recorder
Purpose: Monitor for weeks to capture sporadic episodes
Shows: Episodes at home
Thyroid Function Tests
Purpose: Rule out hyperthyroidism
Shows: TSH, T3, T4
Echocardiogram
Purpose: Assess heart structure
Shows: Valve problems, structural disease
How We Treat Palpitations
Treatment addresses the specific cause of palpitations.
Arrhythmia Treatment
Control or cure abnormal rhythms
Thyroid Management
Treat hyperthyroidism if present
Stress Management
Reduce anxiety-related palpitations
Lifestyle Modification
Address triggers
Standard vs. Investigative Care
Standard Approach
Often dismisses palpitations as anxiety without evaluation
- ×May miss serious arrhythmias
- ×Does not identify specific cause
- ×Patients continue to suffer
Our Approach
Comprehensive evaluation to identify cause and provide targeted treatment
- Accurate diagnosis
- Appropriate treatment
- Peace of mind
Expected Healing Timeline
Phase 1: Diagnosis
Week 1-2Focus: ECG, Holter if needed, Thyroid tests
Expected Outcome: Identify cause
Phase 2: Treatment
Weeks 2-6Focus: Treat identified cause, Lifestyle changes
Expected Outcome: Symptom relief
Phase 3: Follow-up
Months 1-3Focus: Monitor response, Adjust treatment
Expected Outcome: Resolution
At-Home Relief Strategies
These measures can help manage palpitations while seeking evaluation.
Avoid Triggers
Reduce caffeine, alcohol, energy drinks; manage stress
Expected: Reduces frequency
Stay Hydrated
Drink adequate water; avoid dehydration
Expected: Prevents electrolyte imbalances
Deep Breathing
Practice deep, slow breathing during episodes
Expected: Calms nervous system
Vagal Maneuvers
Try Valsalva maneuver (exhale against closed airway)
Expected: May slow rapid heart rate
Common Questions Answered
Most palpitations are benign—extra beats (PVCs, PACs) are very common and harmless. However, some can indicate serious arrhythmias like SVT or AFib, which have risks. The key is evaluation: if your palpitations are with chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath, or a rapid regular beat, seek immediate care. Otherwise, schedule evaluation to determine the cause.