No. Many causes are benign (stress, caffeine, dehydration), but new or persistent palpitations are worth having checked.
Palpitations & Arrhythmias
Conditions
Palpitations & Arrhythmias
Palpitations are a racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping sensation in the chest. They can have many causes, from stress and caffeine to an underlying heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia) such as atrial fibrillation. Most palpitations are harmless. Persistent or severe symptoms warrant evaluation.
Common Ways Patients Describe This
- Heart racing or pounding
- Heart skipping a beat
- Fluttering in the chest
- An irregular, uneven heartbeat
Causes
Causes range from stress, caffeine, and dehydration to underlying arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, or structural heart conditions. Thyroid issues and anemia can also contribute.
When It's Urgent
Palpitations accompanied by chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, or a very rapid or irregular pulse should be evaluated promptly rather than waiting.
Diagnosis
An ECG is often the first step in Dr. Kulin Sheth's evaluation, sometimes alongside extended heart-rhythm monitoring, depending on how frequently symptoms occur.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause. It ranges from addressing triggers like caffeine or stress, to medication, to device therapy such as a pacemaker or ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) / CRT (cardiac resynchronisation therapy) in specific situations.
Frequently asked questions
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Are palpitations always a sign of a heart problem?
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What's the difference between palpitations and arrhythmia?Palpitations are the sensation; arrhythmia is a specific abnormal heart rhythm that may or may not cause palpitations.
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Do all arrhythmias need treatment?No. Some are monitored without active treatment, while others need medication or a procedure, depending on type and severity.
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Reach Dr. Kulin Sheth's team directly by phone or WhatsApp, or visit us at Sheth Heart Clinic, Bopal.