Fluttery feeling in chest portable#

These ectopics happen when an extra or early heartbeat is followed by a pause, which makes you feel like you have missed a beat. Sometimes the heart may have inappropriate beats (called ectopic beats or premature extrasystoles) which may give the sensation of palpitations but are not considered serious unless occurring frequently. Palpitations may also be a symptom of several different types of arrhythmias, heart disease, such as problems with the heart valves, or heart attack. Palpitations can be triggered in some people by heavy smoking, excessive caffeine (from tea, coffee, cola drinks or energy drinks), food sensitivities or allergies, and some types of medications or reactions to medications.įever may also cause an increased or abnormal heart rate while it is present.Įxcessive levels of thyroid hormone or hormone changes in pregnancy may cause a faster heart rate and may cause palpitations briefly.ĭuring menopause, women may experience palpitations. Your doctor may also ask about food sensitivities and allergies. Rarely, electrophysiological studies are needed to determine the cause of an abnormal heart rhythm by applying small electric currents directly to the heart and recording its response.īlood tests can measure the levels of thyroid hormones, potassium, magnesium and medications that may be causing the palpitations. If you are asked to wear a 24-hour monitor, you will be asked to keep a time record of any symptoms so they can be correlated in time to the ECG results.Įxercise stress testing may be suggested where you have palpitations that are induced by exercise.

Fluttery feeling in chest portable#

The doctor may evaluate your palpitations through blood tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, a Holter monitor (a portable ECG machine that can monitor heartbeat for 24 hours), exercise stress tests, or a test of the coronary arteries. They will want to know whether the palpitations make you feel out of breath or faint, or whether you have chest pain at the same time. They will be interested whether you have noticed anything that is a trigger for the palpitations, such as exercise, emotion or a change in your posture. They should ask you how often you have felt the palpitations and how long they last for. When you visit your doctor about palpitations, the doctor may ask you to tap out the beat of the palpitations. If the GP thinks your palpitations warrant further investigation, they will refer you to a Cardiologist. They are one of the most common symptoms that people go to their GP for. Palpitations are a common problem that GPs deal with all the time. Your General Practitioner (GP) is a good place to start if you are having palpitations. What type of doctor should I see for palpitations? Palpitations can occur in everyone at some time during exercise, stress, pain or fright, but a normal heartbeat should return quickly. Sometimes the underlying cause is unrelated to the heart - anaemia or an overactive thyroid gland, for instance, can cause palpitations. In others, palpitations may be caused by arrhythmias of different types (heartbeats that are too slow, too rapid, irregular, or too early) or by other heart conditions such as leaking valves. In many people who experience palpitations, no heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) can be found and the cause of the palpitations is unknown. Palpitations are unpleasant sensations of excessively strong, rapid and/or irregular heartbeats. You should seek emergency medical attention if your heart palpitations are accompanied by: When should I seek immediate medical attention?

The feelings don’t usually last very long. The feelings may be in your neck or your ear.