Heart Palpitations

What causes heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations describe fluttering sensations or a fast-beating heart. You may feel palpitations when you're active or at rest.

While the palpitations can feel strange, they are often the result of your emotions, stress, or strenuous exercise. Other common causes of heart palpitations include:

• Caffeine
• Nicotine
• Hormone changes
• Thyroid disorder
• Use of certain medications

On occasion, heart palpitations may be a warning sign of a more serious underlying heart condition, such as arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

When should I seek treatment for heart palpitations?

Occasional heart palpitations may not require medical intervention, but you should continue to monitor your symptoms.

If you have a personal or family medical history of heart conditions or if the palpitations occur frequently, you should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at the Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston. You also need an evaluation if you experience symptoms like:

• Fainting
• Persistent dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

The Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston offers several onsite diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of your heart palpitations or abnormal heart rhythm.

You may need an electrocardiogram (ECG) that records the electrical signals from your heart or an echocardiogram, an imaging test that uses soundwaves to take pictures of your heart to identify blockages or structural issues. Wearing a Holter monitor may also provide insight into your condition.

How are heart palpitations treated?

If serious heart problems are not the cause of your heart palpitations, your Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston cardiologist may recommend lifestyle changes to reduce stress. You may also need to avoid stimulants like caffeine to prevent additional palpitations.

Regular exercise and a quality diet are also important for protecting your heart health. Your cardiologist may suggest certain exercises that boost your blood circulation and relieve stress and can work with you on a healthy diet plan.

Other treatment and monitoring options for heart palpitations include:

Pacemaker

When heart palpitations occur because of an arrhythmia or other underlying heart condition, your cardiologist may insert a pacemaker, an implantable device that delivers currents of electricity to regulate your heartbeat.

LINQ™ implant

The Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston also offers the Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitoring System implant to continually assess an irregular heartbeat. The device is a small, wireless cardiac monitor that records your heart’s activity. The implant procedure is minimally invasive and requires only local anesthesia.

Direct current cardioversion

Direct current cardioversion uses electrical shocks to restore your heart rhythm to normal. The outpatient procedure involves intravenous sedation, so you feel nothing during your treatment and can go home soon after. 

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for heart palpitations, call the Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston office nearest you or request an appointment online today.