If you’ve ever felt your heart fluttering, racing, pounding or skipping beats, you’ve experienced heart palpitations. While they’re very common and usually harmless, the feeling can be unsettling — especially when they happen at night. That’s why we’re here with all the information you need to put your mind at ease.
Understanding Heart Palpitations
A heart palpitation is a type of abnormal heart rhythm, also called arrhythmia. Heart palpitations happen when your heart beats out of rhythm. And while nearly everyone experiences them from time to time, not everyone feels them.
For some, heart palpitations are more noticeable at night when you’re resting and less distracted. Research also suggests that different sleeping positions — such as lying on your back or your left side — may make you more aware of flutters, irregular heart rate and pounding.
Some people also report noticing heart palpitations more often after eating. And it stands to reason; sugar, carbohydrates, alcohol, heavy spices and salt are all known to cause heart palpitations.
You may also sometimes feel the palpitations in other parts of your body, too, like your head, neck or throat.
Common Causes of Heart Palpitations
In addition to being a side effect of certain drugs and medications, sensations like heart fluttering, skipping and pounding can be caused by:
Though less common, heart palpitations can also be caused by an underlying health condition or disorder. Some examples include anemia, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, thyroid conditions and structural valve disease.
Preventing Heart Palpitations
The best way to prevent heart palpitations is to make a few lifestyle changes. Not only can these changes help decrease or even eliminate palpitations altogether, they’re also good for your overall health.
Consider:
- Limiting your caffeine intake
- Lowering stress through relaxation techniques like deep breathing
- Quitting smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Putting a healthy sleep routine in place
- Stopping eating, especially large meals, right before bedtime
- Trying a different sleeping position
Heart palpitations don’t usually require treatment, especially if they only happen occasionally. You may be able to relieve heart palpitations yourself. If your heart is racing, for example, try breathing slowly and deeply or focusing on something enjoyable and relaxing.
Also, pay attention to patterns when your heart palpitations happen. Take note of what you ate, whether you exercised, if you took any medicine and how you felt before and after the episode. Identifying triggers may help you avoid them in the future.
Treating Heart Palpitations
Most people who experience heart palpitations don’t need any medical treatment. However, since heart palpitations can be caused by certain health conditions like low blood pressure, overactive thyroid and other heart problems, it’s always best to consult a doctor if they won’t go away.
You should also get medical care right away if you have palpitations along with difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or chest pain.
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