Suddenly, your heart beats like it's going to jump out of your chest, you feel a severe stutter in your chest, or you feel like your heart is beating in your throat... The first question that comes to the mind of everyone who experiences this situation is the same: "What causes heart palpitations?"
Don't worry, most of the time, heart palpitations (medically known as palpitation) are completely harmless and are a common occurrence in daily life. However, in some cases, it may be the first sign of a serious disease. In this article, I will explain in detail the 20 most common causes of heart palpitations, explain in detail which situations are normal, which require a doctor, and what you can do at home.
What is Heart Palpitations and How Does It Feel?
Heart palpitations are a condition in which a person feels that his or her heartbeat is stronger, faster or irregular than normal. In medical terms, "palpitation”. A normal person hardly notices their heartbeat while resting. However, during palpitations, the heart literally "reminds you of its existence": a feeling of tightness in the chest, violent beats, pounding in the throat, throbbing in the ears, or a feeling as if butterflies are flying in the chest may occur.
This feeling may last for a few seconds or for hours. While it sometimes occurs as just a few extra beats (early beats), sometimes it can manifest itself as rapid rhythms of 150-200 beats per minute.
What Causes Heart Palpitations? 20 Most Common Reasons
1. Stress, Anxiety and Panic Attack
Today, the most common cause of heart palpitations is stress. Before an exam, before an important meeting, or during a discussion, your body goes into "fight or flight" mode. Adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones are secreted from the adrenal glands, and the heart begins to beat faster and stronger. Meanwhile, both tachycardia (rapid beating) and premature beats are very common. During a panic attack, the palpitations become so severe that the person thinks "I am having a heart attack."
2. Excessive Caffeine Consumption
One large glass of filter coffee (200-250 mg caffeine), 2-3 cans of energy drinks or large amounts of black tea and chocolate… Caffeine stimulates the heart's beta receptors and directly increases the heart rate. Even 1 cup of Turkish coffee can cause severe palpitations within 10-15 minutes, especially in sensitive people.
3. Cigarettes and Alcohol
Nicotine in cigarettes is a powerful sympathetic stimulant; Within 5-10 minutes after smoking a cigarette, the heart rate may increase by 10-20 beats. Alcohol, on the other hand, first increases the heart rate and can then lead to irregular rhythms (especially atrial fibrillation). This is exactly what "holiday heart syndrome" is, which is common the next morning in those who drink too much on the weekend.
4. Anemia and Iron Deficiency
When hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood, decreases, the heart has to beat faster to deliver the same amount of oxygen to the tissues. Especially in young women, iron deficiency anemia due to menstrual bleeding is a very common cause of palpitations.
5. Overactivity of the Thyroid Gland (Hyperthyroidism)
Thyroid hormones directly control the rate of the heart. When Basedow-Graves disease or thyroid nodules secrete too much hormone, the heart constantly works at high speed. Patients describe it as "my heart never slows down, it beats fast even at night."
6. Low Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Especially in diabetic patients who use insulin or who have been fasting for a long time, when blood sugar drops, the body secretes adrenaline and palpitations begin. Many people say, "When I'm hungry, my heart beats like crazy."
7. Magnesium and Potassium Deficiency
Magnesium is a very critical mineral in the heart's electrical system. In its deficiency, premature beats (extrasystole) are very common. Potassium deficiency similarly causes rhythm disorders. Diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive use of diuretics may cause these deficiencies.
8. Medications You Use
Asthma medications (salbutamol, terbutaline), pseudoephedrine in cold medications, some antidepressants (venlafaxine, bupropion), overdose of thyroid medications, cortisone medications and even some nasal sprays can cause palpitations.
9. Menopause and Hormonal Fluctuations
Sudden drops in estrogen levels cause palpitations along with hot flashes. Many women describe it as "I feel hot and my heart feels like it's going to come out of my chest."
10. Extreme Sports and Exertion
Heart rate increases physiologically in situations such as after intense exercise or sudden heavy lifting. This situation is felt more clearly in untrained people.
11. Sleep Apnea and Snoring
When breathing stops during the night, the oxygen in the blood decreases, and the body accelerates the heart to compensate. Sleep apnea is common in people who wake up tired in the morning and feel palpitations throughout the day.
12. Heart Rhythm Disorders
- Supraventricular tachycardia (AVRT, AVNRT): Sudden onset and end, rates of 150-220 beats per minute
- Atrial fibrillation: Irregular and often rapid rhythm
- Frequent ventricular premature beats: Feeling like “the heart hangs and then beats”
13. Heart Valve Diseases
Mitral valve prolapse is common, especially in young women, and may cause palpitations. Palpitations also occur in cases of more serious valve stenosis or leakage.
14. Heart Failure and Coronary Vascular Disease
When the heart muscle weakens or the vessels narrow, the heart has to work harder.
15. Febrile Diseases
For every 1 degree body temperature increases, the heart rate increases by approximately 10 beats. Palpitations are very common in diseases such as flu, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection.
16. Pregnancy Period
During pregnancy, blood volume increases by 40-50% and the heart works harder. Palpitations are considered normal, especially in the 3rd trimester and the first weeks after birth.
17. Reflux and Stomach Problems
The stomach and the heart are innervated by the same nerve (vagus nerve). Severe reflux, gastritis, or stomach bloating can stimulate the vagus nerve and cause palpitations. Lying down immediately after eating increases this situation.
18. Dehydration
When the body becomes dehydrated, blood volume decreases and the heart starts beating faster to compensate.
19. Some Herbal Supplements and Products
Ginseng, ephedra (ma huang), bitter orange, even high doses of vitamin C can cause palpitations in some people.
20. Benign, Unprovoked Palpitations
When a Yap 24-hour ECG (Holter) is performed, it is seen that many people have 100-200 premature beats a day. Most of these are completely harmless and cause no symptoms. Only sensitive people notice.
When is Heart Palpitations Dangerous?
If you have any of the following symptoms along with palpitations, consult a doctor or 112 immediately:
- Chest pain or feeling of pressure
- Fainting or fainting
- Severe shortness of breath
- Palpitation that lasts longer than 5 minutes and becomes increasingly rapid
- Arm, jaw or back pain
- Sudden loss of vision or slurred speech
What is Good for Heart Palpitations? Things You Can Do at Home
- Drink cold water and wash your face with cold water in case of sudden palpitation
- Do the Valsalva maneuver: Close your nose and mouth and pretend to strain
- Breathe deeply: inhale through nose for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale through mouth for 8 seconds (4-7-8 technique)
- Consume foods containing magnesium: Almonds, spinach, bananas, dark chocolate
- Reduce caffeine, energy drinks and alcohol
- Regular sleep and stress management are very important
What Examinations Are Done When You Go to the Doctor?
- ECG (12-lead electrocardiogram)
- 24-48 hour Holter monitor
- Blood tests (thyroid, anemia, electrolytes, magnesium)
- Echocardiography (heart ultrasound)
- Exertion test
- Event recorder or long-term rhythm monitoring if necessary
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes heart palpitations while sleeping at night?
The most common causes of night palpitations are sleep apnea, reflux, panic attack, low blood sugar and premature beats that increase when lying on the left side. Palpitations, especially when falling asleep or between 3 and 5 in the morning, are often benign.
What causes heart palpitations in young people?
The most common causes in young people are stress, caffeine, cigarettes, energy drinks, anemia, thyroid disease and POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Additionally, completely benign premature beats are very common in young people.
Does stress cause heart palpitations, how long does it last?
Yes, stress is the most common cause of palpitations. It may last from minutes to hours during the stressful event. If there is chronic stress, intermittent palpitations may occur throughout the day.
What is the difference between heart palpitations and panic attacks?
In a panic attack, in addition to palpitations, there are symptoms such as intense fear of death, sweating, shaking, numbness, feeling of suffocation, and abdominal pain. If palpitations occur alone, they are usually not a panic attack.
Are heart palpitations a sign of cancer?
It is very rare. However, very rare tumors such as pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor) and carcinoid syndrome can cause palpitations. Palpitations are not a symptom in routine cancer screenings.
