You may be experiencing heart palpitations. Heart palpitations may last for only a few seconds, and they can occur at any time. The good news is that not all cases of fast heartbeat mean you have a heart condition. Sometimes the palpitations are caused by things that make your heart work harder, like:. Keep reading to learn 10 ways you can manage heart palpitations at home, when you should see your doctor, and tips for a healthy heart.
Stress can trigger or worsen heart palpitations. Try sitting cross-legged and taking a slow breath in through your nostrils and then out through your mouth. Repeat until you feel calm. You should also focus on relaxing throughout the day, not just when you feel palpitations or a racing heart.
Stop and take five deep breaths every 1 to 2 hours to help calm your mind and keep you relaxed. Keeping your general stress levels low can help you avoid episodes of fast heartbeat and lower your resting heart rate over time. Biofeedback and guided imagery are also effective options. The vagus nerve has many functions, including connecting your brain to your heart. Vagal maneuvers stimulate the vagus nerve and may help regulate fast heartbeat. For best results, perform these maneuvers while laying on your back.
Your doctor can show you how to perform them correctly. Dehydration can cause heart palpitations. The thicker your blood is, the harder your heart has to work to move it through your veins. That can increase your pulse rate and potentially lead to palpitations. If you feel your pulse climb, reach for a glass of water. If you notice your urine is dark yellow, drink more fluids to prevent palpitations.
Electrolytes help move electrical signals throughout your body. Electrical signals are important for the proper functioning of your heart. Some electrolytes that can benefit your heart health include:. Most of these electrolytes are best obtained from foods. Some great sources of potassium are:.
To increase your intake of calcium , eat more dark leafy greens and dairy products. Dark leafy greens are also a great source of magnesium , and so are nuts and fish. Most people get enough sodium in their diet with packaged foods such as deli meats and canned soups. Supplements may help maintain your electrolyte balance, but talk with a doctor before taking any new supplements.
Too many electrolytes can cause problems. If you suspect you may have an imbalance, your doctor can test your urine and blood to confirm. There are many substances that may make you more likely to have a fast heartbeat. Eliminating these things from your daily routine may lessen or even stop your symptoms. They include:. Your own triggers will likely be unique to you. Try keeping a list of the things you consume that may cause your heart palpitations.
If possible, avoid any items you think may be causing your symptoms and see if your symptoms stop. Before stopping any prescription medications, talk with your doctor if you think prescription medications may be causing your symptoms. Learn more: Understanding heart palpitations after eating. Hawthorn berry extract is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine and has been used to help with digestive issues and high blood pressure.
Hawthorn berry extract may also be able to help reduce heart palpitations. An older two-year-long cohort study separated study participants with heart failure into several groups. One would receive hawthorn extract as an add-on therapy, one group would use only hawthorn extract, and the last group would receive therapy without hawthorn.
The study found that those who used hawthorn berry extract on its own had reduced heart palpitations compared with the participants who did not receive hawthorn at all. Hawthorn may interact with heart medications, so talk with your doctor before taking hawthorn extract. Hawthorn is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding and should not be given to children.
When choosing herbal approaches, research your source of hawthorn, as herbs are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration FDA. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain. Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:. Severe trouble breathing means:. Moderate trouble breathing means:. Mild trouble breathing means:.
Many medicines and drugs can affect the rate and rhythm of the heart. A few examples are:. Based on your answers, you need emergency care. Call or other emergency services now. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them.
But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. Based on your answers, you may need care right away.
The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. After you call , the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength mg or 2 to 4 low-dose 81 mg aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself. Home treatment can help relieve some problems that cause changes in your heart rate. When you think you have a change in your heart rate or rhythm:.
You may find it helpful to keep a record of the date and time that you noticed the change. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. You often can reduce or prevent changes in your heart rate or rhythm. Knowing CPR could be useful for anyone. Many parents learn CPR so they know what to do if their children need it. People who have family members with a heart problem also should learn CPR.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. If you have kept a record of your heart rate or rhythm changes, be sure to discuss this with your doctor. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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Topic Overview Your heart normally beats in a regular rhythm and rate that is just right for the work your body is doing at any moment. When heart rate or rhythm changes are minor Many changes in heart rate or rhythm are minor and do not require medical treatment if you do not have other symptoms or a history of heart disease.
When heart rate or rhythm changes are more serious Irregular heartbeats change the amount of blood that flows to the lungs and other parts of the body. Check Your Symptoms Do you have a concern about your heartbeat or heart rhythm? How old are you? Less than 12 years.
Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms. If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female".
This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Did you pass out completely lose consciousness? If you are answering for someone else: Is the person unconscious now?
Are you back to your normal level of alertness? After passing out, it's normal to feel a little confused, weak, or light-headed when you first wake up or come to. But unless something else is wrong, these symptoms should pass pretty quickly and you should soon feel about as awake and alert as you normally do. Did the loss of consciousness occur during the past 24 hours? Do you have symptoms of shock? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a young child.
Could you be having symptoms of a heart attack? If you're having a heart attack, there are several areas where you may feel pain or other symptoms. Are you having trouble breathing more than a stuffy nose? Would you describe the breathing problem as severe, moderate, or mild?
The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a young child or baby. Have you noticed any irregular heartbeats or changes in your heart rate? Was the change sudden? Does your heartbeat return to normal when you lie down?
Do you have other symptoms such as feeling nauseated, light-headed or faint, or extremely tired for no reason? Other symptoms such as nausea, light-headedness, fainting, or severe fatigue.
Do you have a fast heart rate more than beats per minute for no clear reason? Many heart rate changes are minor and have an obvious cause. Do you have a slow heart rate less than 50 beats per minute that is not normal for you?
A slow heart rate is normal for some people, especially endurance athletes. What you are looking for is a change in your usual heart rate. Do you have an irregular heart rhythm that is new to you? Do you have a history of heart problems, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation? Do you feel light-headed or dizzy, like you are going to faint? It's normal for some people to feel a little light-headed when they first stand up.
But anything more than that may be serious. Do you get short of breath during physical activity and have trouble getting your heartbeat and breathing under control? It's normal to feel out of breath and have your heart rate speed up when you are exercising hard. But your breathing and heart rate should return to normal soon after you slow down or stop. Do you think that a medicine or drug may be causing the change in your heart rate or rhythm?
Think about whether the heartbeat changes started after you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine. Have you been noticing changes in your heartbeat for more than a week? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
Questions to ask yourself, may include: Did the increased heart rate occur gradually, or did this episode come on all of a sudden? Was I feeling anxious? Did I perform any kind of activity, or was I resting?
Make sure to exercise, under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Walking, swimming, or light aerobic activity may decrease your resting heart rate, help you to lose weight, and promote the flow of oxygen in your lungs and blood. Use relaxation techniques to decrease the amount of anxiety you have. If you feel anxious, place yourself in a quiet environment, and close your eyes.
Take slow, steady, deep breaths, and try to concentrate on things that have relaxed you in the past. If you are ordered a medication to treat this disorder, do not stop taking any medication unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Take the medication exactly as directed. Do not share your pills with anyone. If you miss a dose of your medication, discuss with your healthcare provider what you should do. If you experience symptoms or side effects, especially if severe, be sure to discuss them with your health care team.
Keep all your appointments for your treatments. They will lower your blood pressure, and improve blood flow to your kidneys, and throughout your body. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe these medications if you have diabetes or protein in your urine, to protect your kidneys. These medications will help you to relax. It is important to take these medications only when you are feeling anxious. Do not operate heavy machinery, or drive an automobile while taking these. If these medications do not control your symptoms, discuss this with your doctor.
Beta-blockers - can be used to slow down your heart rate, and improve blood flow through your body. You may take this drug if you have been diagnosed with irregular heartbeats, or high blood pressure. Calcium Channel Blockers - These medications may be given to treat chest pain, high blood pressure, or irregular heartbeats. This medication will slow your heart rate.
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