You feel your heart fluttering, it’s pounding harder than usual, it’s skipping beats for no apparent reason. These are basic signs to know that your heart is palpitating. Yes, they can feel scary but most are not serious and rarely require treatment. Find out what makes your heart rate faster so you don’t panic.
Causes of heart palpitations
Exercise
Exercise is good for us. A brisk run or intensive indoor cycling naturally makes the heart beat faster. This helps the heart pump more blood to power the muscles while exercising. If the heart is fluttering or pounding, it may be because one hasn’t exercised in a while. An irregular heartbeat or an abnormal heart rhythm can also cause palpitations during exercise.
Hormone changes
Women may find their heart rate speed up when they are on their periods, are pregnant, and in menopause. The reason: hormone levels. The increase in heart rate is usually temporary and not a cause for concern. During pregnancy, palpitations can occur if one is anemic. This means there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.
Fever
When a person’s temperature rises during illness, the body uses energy faster than normal. This can set off palpitations. Usually, your temperature must be above 100.4 F to affect your heart rate.
Medications
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications cause palpitations as side effects, these include:
1. Antibiotics
2. Antifungal medications
3. Antipsychotic medications
4. Asthma inhalers
5. Cough and cold medications
6. Diet pills
7. High blood pressure medications
8. Thyroid pills
Low blood sugar
Have you ever noticed that you feel weak and shaky when you’ve skipped a meal?
This can also cause palpitations. When blood sugar level drops, stress hormones like adrenaline are released in the body to prepare for an emergency food shortage. Adrenaline speeds up the heart rate.
If you are healthy, you do not have to worry about having a palpitation just once in a while and only for a few seconds. Consult a doctor if they come more often or if you have symptoms such as; chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
REFERENCE
WEBMD. What causes heart palpitations? Available at https://webmd.com.
