| Everyone’s heart races or feels like it “skips a beat” sometimes. The sensation is called having palpitations. Some people have them daily, others experience them rarely, but everyone has them—and, for the most part, they’re harmless. Any number of things can trigger palpitations. A short list of causes includes:
That said, if, in addition to feeling your heart skip a beat, you’re also experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, lightheadedness or dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting, you should seek medical attention. Treating ArrhythmiasMost cardiac arrhythmias can now be successfully treated with medication or with minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures called catheter ablation, many of which cure certain arrhythmias.For those who have previously had a heart attack or otherwise damaged their heart to the extent that the heart’s electrical activity is disrupted, the answer may be to install a pacemaker to help regulate the heartbeat. Atrial FibrillationAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia. AF is a serious condition that increases the risk for stroke. AF is due to abnormal, irregular electrical activity in the top chambers of the heart, called the atria. Symptoms include having palpitations, shortness of breath, rapid heart rates, fatigue/lack of energy, and swelling in the legs.AF is largely a heart rhythm disorder of older patients, and as people live longer, it’s likely to become more prevalent. Fortunately, advances in cardiac monitoring are enabling us to better diagnose AF and other cardiac arrhythmias, and AF treatment has progressed a lot in the last decade. At UT Southwestern, we perform many catheter ablations for atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias. However, ablations are not the only option, and we believe it is critical that patients understand all of the options and the risks and benefits of each one. Each patient is invited to participate in and understand the treatment decisions in his or her unique situation. Together we create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each patient in order to have the best possible chance at a successful outcome. Advances in Heart Rhythm ManagementWhen a heart does need help with rhythm management, we’re now able to perform many procedures with minimal to no radiation exposure to the patient, thanks to ongoing advances in electrophysiology mapping systems. The advent of GPS-based systems will ultimately allow cardiac electrophysiologists to implant pacemakers and defibrillators with almost no X-ray exposure.The continued miniaturization of pacemakers, defibrillators, and other implantable cardiac devices is another important advance. Within the next decade or two, many are likely to be about the size of a coin and will be placed directly onto the heart or in the heart wall, eliminating the need for any wires. Our Heart Rhythm Management team at UT Southwestern is on the leading edge of such advances, and we care for every conceivable heart condition. Whether you feel like your palpitations have become bothersome or you know you’re experiencing the associated symptoms (chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting), please set up an appointment by calling 214-645-8000 or visiting utswmedicine.org. We are here to help. Although heart palpitations are often harmless, they can feel frightening, and in some cases, they’re a sign of an underlying heart condition. Feeling the occasional fluttering of your heart usually isn’t a cause for concern, and it may feel as if your heart skips a beat or has a noticeable change in rhythm. Show
While heart palpitations can have many harmless causes, it’s wise to know when to alert a health care provider, and a heart specialist can get to the bottom of your symptoms. At Metropolitan Cardiovascular Consultants, board-certified cardiologist Ayim Djamson, MD, diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. If you’re experiencing a sensation that your heart is skipping a beat, Dr. Djamson can get to the root of the problem, and provide answers and treatment if necessary. Take a moment to learn more about heart palpitations and what to do if it feels like your heart skips a beat. Understanding heart palpitationsEveryone is familiar with the typical rhythm of their heartbeat. Palpitations are different from your regular heartbeat. It may feel as if your heart is beating too fast, too strongly, or is fluttering. Some people describe feeling their heart-pounding inside their chest or skipping a beat. Sometimes it may feel like there’s an extra beat. In most cases, heart palpitations last only a few seconds and resolve on their own. There are some cases where heart palpitations are a warning sign of a serious underlying heart condition. Palpitations can be a symptom of:
Dr. Djamson routinely diagnoses and treats these conditions. Causes of heart palpitationsThe causes of palpitations vary widely. Non-serious causes of heart palpitations include strong emotions such as: Underlying health conditions can impact heart rhythm. These are:
In these cases, heart palpitations should resolve following treatment of the underlying condition. Over-the-counter and prescription medications and nutritional supplements can also cause heart palpitations. When heart palpitations require immediate medical attentionCertain symptoms are serious enough to require immediate medical attention. If you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition and experience sudden palpitations, get immediate medical help. Other symptoms that require immediate medical attention whether you have a heart condition or not are:
Note that if your resting pulse is more than 100 beats per minute, get help right away. Any of these symptoms could be signs of a serious cardiac event. Practical steps for non-serious heart palpitationsHeart palpitations that are brief and resolve on their own aren’t usually a cause for concern. If you’ve had a comprehensive evaluation of your heart and been told that it’s functioning fine, your palpitations may be related to less serious causes. Avoiding the underlying trigger can keep palpitations at bay. Dr. Djamson can help you determine the cause of your palpitations. Smoking, caffeine intake, and chronic stress can contribute to heart palpitations. Practicing deep breathing and other relaxation techniques may also help, especially if your palpitations are the result of stress or anxiety. When it comes to your heart, it’s best not to take any chances. If you have unexplained heart palpitations, it’s wise to schedule a consultation with Metropolitan Cardiovascular Consultants. We have offices in Beltsville, Bowie, and Columbia, Maryland. Call the office nearest you or request an appointment online. You can also send a message to Dr. Djamson and the team here on our website. Why does my heart keep feeling like it's skipping a beat?Stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them. Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they're usually harmless. Rarely, heart palpitations can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), that might require treatment.
Are skipped heart beats serious?A premature heartbeat may feel like your heart skipped a beat. These extra beats are generally not concerning, and they seldom mean you have a more serious condition. Still, a premature beat can trigger a longer-lasting arrhythmia, especially in people with heart disease.
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Heart feels like it skips a beat
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