Heart palpitations and anxiety often go hand in hand but are they necessarily cause for concern?
Heart palpitations are described in many different ways by people who experience them. It can feel like your heart is pounding or racing, it can also be described as a fluttering sensation in your chest, almost as if your heart has skipped a beat, or a heartbeat that just doesn’t feel normal.
Palpitations can also happen at almost any time, while you are sitting about or resting, during or after exercise, even when sleeping.
You can ‘feel’ palpitations in your chest neck or throat and although they are very alarming, especially if experiencing them for the first time, they are not necessarily related to any heart abnormality and can be completely harmless.
- There are a variety of things that can cause heart palpitations. Anxiety is just one of them. Heart palpitations or heart flutters can be caused by:
- Exercise; you can experience heart palpitations during or after exercise.
- Emotions such as anxiety, fear and stress. Some people experience severe heart palpitations during panic attacks.
- Excessive caffeine intake is one of the most common causes.
- Caffeine isn’t just in coffee but turns up in tea, chocolate, cola, sports drinks, food and some medications. Each of us has a different threshold for caffeine and surprisingly small amounts can bring on palpitations.
- Some medical conditions such as an overactive thyroid or low blood sugar levels can also cause them.
- Nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products
- Illegal drugs such as cocaine and speed (amphetamines)
Should you get them checked out by a doctor?
It is always worth getting heart palpitations checked out by a doctor to rule out the possibility of any serious underlying condition especially if you experience other symptoms with them such as dizziness, feeling light headed or confused or if you have difficulty breathing or pass out whilst experiencing the palpitations. Chest pain or tightness in your chest, neck arms or jaw are also possible causes for concern.
There are lots of reasons for experiencing palpitations but fortunately the vast majority are harmless. If you’re honest with yourself you will know if your palpitations are likely to be the result of anxiety or stress but it is still worth getting yourself checked out.
Heart Palpitations and Anxiety
If you are suffering from heat palpitations as a result of anxiety it is important that, once you have been diagnosed by your doctor you accept the diagnosis and try not to worry about your health.
Heart palpitations themselves are not harmful. If your doctor has ruled out any underlying heart condition, you have nothing to worry about.
Unfortunately one of the other symptoms of anxiety is to catastrophise everything, thinking of the worst case scenario in any situation.
Palpitations are an excellent fuel for this particular fire.
Rather than worrying about anxiety and palpitations focus on learning how to reduce your palpitations.
- Try to reduce your anxiety levels with different coping techniques like deep breathing or relaxation exercises.
- Reduce your alcohol intake.
- Cut back on caffeine. Read the labels on things to see what contains caffeine.
- Cut back or give up smoking.
- Take regular exercise. Exercise is great for reducing anxiety levels.
- Keep an eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
All of these things will help to reduce the frequency and severity of palpitations from anxiety.
If you have an underlying anxiety disorder think about trying a self help program to beat your anxiety. Your palpitations will soon go once the anxiety is gone.
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