Should I Be Worried About Heart Palpitations?

When you experience noticeable changes in your heart’s rhythm or rate, it can understandably be a cause for concern.

Occasional heart palpitations aren’t typically something to worry about. But if you’re feeling persistent heart flutters, or your heart won’t stop racing, it’s best to check in with the expert cardiology team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut to rule out underlying health issues.

Why you have heart palpitations

Heart palpitations describe the feeling of a fast-beating, pounding, or fluttering heart. You may feel like your heart is flip-flopping in your chest or skipping its normal beats.

These sensations can occur when you’re being physically active or while you’re resting. Many times, the palpitations only happen occasionally and last for a few seconds at a time.

Some of the most common causes of occasional heart palpitations include:

• Stress
• Fever
• Depression
• Physical exercise
• Strong emotional responses

You can also experience heart palpitations if you use certain medications, illegal drugs, nicotine, or caffeine. 

Many women have heart palpitations during a pregnancy, in their transition to menopause, and during their monthly period.

When medical help is needed for heart palpitations

When you overexert yourself or consume too much caffeine, the resulting heart palpitations are generally nothing to worry about. 

However, if you have existing heart issues or notice that your condition is worsening, schedule a diagnostic evaluation with our team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut.

If your heart palpitations are persistent, this may be a warning sign of underlying issues affecting your heart or other systems in your body. These conditions can include arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), heart disease, and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid disorder).

It’s always best to check in with the providers at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut for a comprehensive medical evaluation. You also need to seek medical care if you experience other symptoms in addition to the palpitations, such as:

• Fainting
• Chest pain
• Severe dizziness
• Sudden shortness of breath

Without treatment, severe arrhythmias can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart attack and stroke.

Identifying the underlying cause of heart palpitations

When you have ongoing palpitations and other symptoms of a possible heart condition, HeartCare Associates of Connecticut offers several diagnostic technologies on-site to quickly and accurately identify their root cause.

Blood work can detect hormone imbalances that indicate an underlying thyroid disorder. We also offer heart-monitoring technologies, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and exercise stress tests to evaluate your heart’s activity.

In some cases, you may need to wear a Holter monitor, a portable ECG device that records your heart’s electrical activity for 24 hours or longer. The monitor can detect arrhythmias and record heart palpitations in real-time, and you wear it as you go about your usual activities.

Treating worrisome heart palpitations

Once our cardiology team understands how your heart is working, we create a treatment plan to address the issues triggering your palpitations. This may include medications and other therapies, like a pacemaker to regulate your heartbeat and protect your overall heart health.

If your fluttering or pounding heart relates to environmental issues, like stress or strong emotions, the providers can work with you on techniques you can use to better manage stress. These may include engaging in daily, low-impact exercises, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, and practicing breathing techniques to relax your body.

When frequent heart palpitations are a concern, you can rely on the expertise of our cardiology team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut. Schedule an appointment by calling the office nearest you today.