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What is the main cause of heart palpitations?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 10, 2026

Most of the time, they're caused by stress and anxiety, or because you've had too much caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. They can also happen when you're pregnant. In rare cases, palpitations can be a sign of a more serious heart condition. If you have heart palpitations, see your doctor.

How do you stop heart palpitations?

What can I do to prevent palpitations?

  1. Reduce your stress level (using deep-breathing and/or relaxation exercises, yoga, tai chi, guided imagery) or biofeedback techniques.
  2. Avoid or limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
  3. Avoid or limit the amount of caffeine in your diet.
  4. Do not smoke or use tobacco/nicotine products.

Do palpitations damage the heart?

What are the health risks of experiencing heart palpitations? The irregularity of the heart rhythm per se usually does no damage to the heart itself. Patients with a very rapid heart over a long period of time do run a risk of developing enlargement and failure of the heart.

Is it normal to have palpitations every day?

Most of the time, heart palpitations are harmless and go away on their own. In some cases, however, there may be a medical reason behind them, called an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm). Even though they are common, heart palpitations can make you feel anxious and scared.

When should I be worried about heart palpitations?

You should contact your doctor if you experience heart palpitations frequently, for longer than a few seconds, or if they are accompanied by dizziness, loss of consciousness, chest or upper body pain, nausea, excessive or unusual sweating, and shortness of breath.

16 related questions found

What foods cause heart palpitations?

What foods can cause heart palpitations after eating?

  • High-carbohydrate foods, which can spike blood sugar levels, particularly if you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
  • High-sodium foods, such as processed or canned foods.
  • High-sugar foods, especially if you have hypoglycemia.

Why is heart palpitations worse at night?

Heart palpitations may also be more noticeable at night because there are fewer distractions and lower noise levels when lying in bed.

What foods stop heart palpitations?

If you are experiencing worrying heart palpitations, it's a good idea to avoid foods that cause palpitations. Some of the most common foods that lead to palpitations include: Caffeine. Alcohol.
...
Some dietary supplements can cause heart palpitations, such as:

  • Bitter orange.
  • Ginseng.
  • Ephedra.
  • Valerian.
  • Hawthorn.

Can Stomach gas cause heart palpitations?

Consider medical conditions that cause gas pains

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can cause air to become trapped in your esophagus. The feeling can cause anxiety, which then leads to a short burst of heart palpitations.

Can high blood pressure cause palpitations?

High blood pressure and a sense of fluttering in the chest can occur due to electrolyte imbalances or heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias). These symptoms can also occur due to temporary conditions like stress reactions, anxiety, panic attack, or excessive caffeine use.

How do I know if my heart is OK?

The ability to quickly rebound to your normal heart rate after intensive exercise is another sign you have a healthy heart. You can test yourself by taking your heart rate immediately after exercising and again after resting for one minute. Ideally, your rate should have dropped by 20 beats or more.

Can you sleep with heart palpitations?

How common – and how serious – are heart palpitations at night? While it can be a scary feeling, nighttime heart palpitations are actually quite common. They occur most frequently to side sleepers – especially people who sleep on their left sides – as sleeping on your side can create some pressure within your body.

Does drinking water help heart palpitations?

Drink enough water

That can increase your pulse rate and potentially lead to palpitations. If you feel your pulse climb, reach for a glass of water. If you notice your urine is dark yellow, drink more fluids to prevent palpitations.

How do you get rid of heart palpitations naturally?

The most appropriate way to treat palpitations at home is to avoid the triggers that cause the symptoms.

  1. Reduce stress. Try relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing.
  2. Avoid stimulants. ...
  3. Avoid illegal drugs.

What can I drink to lower my heart rate?

When the body is dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to stabilize blood flow. A 2017 study found that a 335-milliliter drink of water could reduce resting heart rate over a 30-minute period.

How do you release gas from your chest?

The following home remedies may help to ease the pain of excess gas in the chest:

  1. Drink warm liquids. Drinking plenty of liquids can help to move excess gas through the digestive system, which can ease gas pain and discomfort. ...
  2. Eat some ginger.
  3. Avoid possible triggers. ...
  4. Exercise. ...
  5. Medical treatments.

How can you tell the difference between gas and heart pain?

“If you belch or pass gas and the pain goes away, you could just be experiencing stomach pain or heartburn,” said Joseph Lash, M.D., cardiologist with Norton Heart and Vascular Institute. “If the pain persists and you have shortness of breath or nausea, it could be a heart-related issue.”

Do heart palpitations make you burp?

Because atrial fibrillation is so important, people with episodes of periodic burping (and their doctors) should consider the possibility, especially if there is an associated fast or irregular heart rate or palpitations.

What is the best medicine for heart palpitations?

Some examples of this medication may include: metoprolol (Lopressor®), propranolol (Inderal®), and atenolol (Tenormin®). Calcium Channel Blockers - These medications may be given to treat chest pain, high blood pressure, or irregular heartbeats.

What tea is good for heart palpitations?

Peppermint tea is shown to have a soothing effect on palpitations and acts as a relaxant to the mind and body.

Can bananas cause heart palpitations?

Researchers believe that foods rich in tyramine, such as cheese, dried yeast, red wine, bananas, and chocolate, may cause atrial fibrillation and a rapid heart rate after eating.

What side should you sleep on for heart palpitations?

Sleeping on your right side may be the best option for people with heart failure. Although some people think sleeping on your right side could restrict blood flow back to the heart, there's not enough evidence to prove that it's harmful.

Can't sleep because of palpitations?

Your symptoms can be caused by multiple medical conditions, including a heart condition, stress reaction, or panic attack. Keep track of your symptoms and if you have concerns, please contact your doctor.

Can dehydration cause palpitations?

Can dehydration cause heart palpitations? Yes. For the same reason dehydration can cause low blood pressure, it can also cause heart palpitations. Palpitations are the feeling of a pounding, fast-beating or fluttering heart.

Is garlic good for heart palpitations?

In animal studies, garlic has been found to have a “significant antiarrhythmic effect” (Banerjee, 2002), stabilizing irregular heartbeats. In humans, atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that is linked to an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart failure, among other cardiovascular issues.