Understanding Heart Palpitations: Causes and What to Do

When you feel as though your heartbeat can be heard by everyone in the room or the rhythm of your heart skips beats like a child playing hopscotch, it can be frightening. Fortunately, most heart pounding sensations have no long-term effects but it's wise to determine the cause.

Instructions

• 1

  Think about what you ate or drank. Heart palpitations can result from excess caffeine consumption, taking diet pills, nicotine usage or the use of cocaine or other stimulants.

• 2

  Relax if you're under stress. Anxiety is a common cause of palpitations. If even small stress levels bring on a pounding heart, talk to your doctor about medications to alleviate anxiety disorders.

• 3

  Ask your doctor to check for anemia. With iron-deficient blood, you can experience heart pounding. Your doctor may prescribe an iron supplement or talk to you about enriching your diet with iron-rich foods.

• 4

  Monitor your exercise levels if you experience heart palpitations after you walk, run or workout. Exercise-induced palpitations may be harmless, or they may signify a chemical imbalance or other disorder. Call your doctor if they persist.

• 5

  Schedule an appointment to see you physician if you experience a loss of consciousness in conjunction with a pounding heart. In addition, an irregular heartbeat that accompanies chest pain or numbness in your fingers is a sign that it could be an emergency.