Should I Be Worried About Heart Palpitations?

You’re well aware that heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States among adult women and men of most races and ethnicities. So when your heart starts to skip beats, flutter, or flop, naturally you’re concerned.

Heart palpitations are common arrhythmias that usually don’t indicate that anything is seriously wrong with your heart. Nevertheless, palpitations can cause unnerving sensations in your heart, such as racing, fluttering, or pounding as well as skipping heartbeats.

At Laurelton Heart Specialists located in the Rosedale neighborhood of Queens in New York City, our team is focused on keeping your heart healthy and strong. Our renowned cardiologist, Dr. Ola Akinboboye, gets to the root of your heart palpitations so you can either relax or get the treatment you need.

Should you worry about your heart palpitations? Answer the following questions to determine your next steps. 

Do the palpitations occur after you eat or drink?

Coffee and other high-caffeine beverages and foods can affect how quickly your heart beats. If you’ve been drinking a lot of coffee or eating dark chocolate lately, try cutting down and see if your symptoms improve.

Spicy foods can also cause palpitations, because they dilate your blood vessels. Again, pay attention to when your heart skips and see if your symptoms resolve if you cut back. Also, alcohol can cause palpitations. Talk to us if you need help limiting or avoiding alcohol.

A variety of other substances can cause palpitations, including nicotine and some medications. Even cough medicine and herbal supplements can instigate an episode.

Are you stressed out or depressed?

Anything that affects your emotions may trigger an episode of palpitations. If you’re under a lot of stress or you feel chronically anxious, it may affect your heart rate. Even depression is associated with increased risk for palpitations.

Panic attacks are often accompanied by heart symptoms, including racing heartbeat and skipping beats. If you struggle with stress, anxiety, or panic, we can refer you to a counselor or other mental health professional who can help you learn new ways of managing stress, including mindfulness, talk therapy, and medications.

Do you have hormonal swings?

Your hormones affect all of your body’s systems, including your cardiovascular system. If you’re a woman, you may experience palpitations during times of hormonal changes, such as:

• Menstruation
• Pregnancy
• Menopause

Another hormone that may affect your heart rate is thyroid hormone. Both hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) and hyperthyroidism (too much) may trigger palpitations. You may benefit from hormone therapy to balance your hormones.

Do your palpitations come with other symptoms?

If you’ve only had a few, minor episodes of palpitations, you may not have anything to worry about. Palpitations are common and usually aren’t a sign of anything serious.

However, if you continue to have episodes of palpitations, if they get worse, or if they’re severe, you should consult a cardiologist right away. Call 911 or head to the emergency room if you have other concerning symptoms, including:

• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Chest pain
• Pain in jaw, arms, chest, or upper back
• Trouble breathing
• Profuse sweating

If you’re concerned about palpitations, we conduct a thorough investigation, including a performing a physical exam and taking a medical history. If your palpitations are unconcerning, you may benefit from lifestyle changes, such as more exercise, a healthier diet, and stress-reduction techniques. If your palpitations are related to a heart issue, we create a customized treatment plan.

Are your palpitations normal or something to worry about? Get the answers you need about your palpitations by contacting Dr. Akinboboye here at Laurelton Heart Specialists. Call 718-208-4816 or use our online outreach form.