What are palpitations?

Palpitations are the subjective feeling of your heart beating. The most common cause of palpitations are PAC's and PVC's or premature atrial contractions and premature ventricular contractions. PACs and PVCs are extra heart beats from the top and bottom chambers of the heart, respectively. They can be completely benign or a symptom or some other underlying issue. These issues can be cardiac or non-cardiac in etiology.

In this video I review why palpitations make your heart feel like it skips a beat, the most common diagnoses associated with palpitations including cardiac and non-cardiac causes, and the initial blood tests and monitors that physicians and cardiologists often use to evaluate a patient with palpitations.

*This video is purely for educational purposes and is not meant to replace medical care. So if you have follow up questions about this video drop them in the comments but I cannot provide personalized medical advise.

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[lisafsker]

As a tele nurse, i can appreciate this video. Ty

[Mashleigh]

THANK YOU for mentioning people with anxiety can still have underlying issues. I have had palpations for years and they have gotten worse to the point of it disrupting me daily. It has taken a lot away from me. Yes, I have anxiety but usually my anxiety is triggered after an "episode" which then puts me into a panic attack and the loop starts, but rarely is the anxiety ever the first to show. I have a suspicion my sleep apnea is causing my heart palpitations ( I wear a mask) and I wake up in the middle of the night scared and feeling terrible because I feel the palpations. Currently sleep deprived now because of it.

[paigeclegg-frmc]

This video is so helpful! I would love more videos on beta blockers, anxiety and the heart and what a cardiologist eats in a week or day! Thank you for all you do!

[staszeks]

Thank you for your amazing videos, would you please mention something about heart pain, causes and if it is dangerous? Thanks

[martinezhervascardiologos]

Great video! In my town, anxiety is much more likely to be the original cause of palpitations and sinus tachycardia... 😂😂

[briannacollazo]

What causes minor mitral regurgitation pvc's palpitations and svt with sudden bradycardia in young patients

[DF-uvmj]

Hi Dr Katz. Intern who loves cardiology here; would love a video about differentiating SVTs - AVRT vs AVNRT

[blakeleymusic]

Define "benign" because when I saw the cardiologist and had tons of tests run, they said they found no "underlying reason" however, they kind of left the door open by saying "just monitor it." But I already told them they happen about once a month, sometimes more, and have for years. It's so scary they feel like I've lost my breath and then my heart speeds up. I feel like despite going to the Cardiologist and having all the tests run, I still feel confused and scared.

[reisesser]

I am 15 and I have it often when I am playing football, maybe when I did not warm up properly. They appear suddenly and last sometimes about an hour long. Or when I stop exercising and lay down. Then it feels like they are gone. But the next day I feel a bit uncomfortable in my chest, like my heart is very heavy. Is that normal?

[GrammaSheila]

Your cat is having a grand time in the background 🤣

[流川枫-mj]

I have a heavy heartbeat caused by intense exercise and nervousness. This heaviness is not just something I can feel myself, but also noticeable vibrations in my heart and abdomen. However, my heart rate is still within the normal range, which greatly affects my sleep. Another symptom is feeling tired even when I am very tired. To put it bluntly, physical fatigue does not help with sleep, and after exercise or work, my heart rate is difficult to calm down. My heavy heartbeat becomes even more pronounced and greatly affects sleep. No matter how tired I am, I don't feel sleepy at night. Moreover, my heart rate accelerates when I dream, and my heart rate is fast with a heavy heartbeat. How can I find the cause and treat it? My English is not good, this was translated using translation software

[dulcekguerrero]

I’ve been dealing with palpitations for over three years that came on about the same time as my h-pylori infection. Not sure if there was a connection then caused by the bacteria itself or the medication to treat it. Infection cleared up but palpitations still here. However now I believe that certain positions cause them 90% of the time. Am I crazy or could there be something going on in my neck upper spine area causing them? I’ve been told I have loss of cervical curve. When I lift my arms up while showering almost always causes one or two ectopic beats. I’ve had so many tests and thankfully all clear but still left with no cause for a solution. I’ve also had low vitamin levels that include d, b12, calcium, ferritin. I feel that there’s a reason for them and hope that one day I figure it out. Sorry for the long post. Thank you for your video.

[EmmaWentzell-cznl]

I have anxiety because I drank a energy drink few months ago and I went to get check and got EKG done and came clear and I’m on anxiety medication

[Taniaperez_]

What about Sinus Tachycardia? I was diagnosed with that with my 14 week heart monitor? Will I die? I do have palpitations here and there, some days I don’t have them at all, and some days I can. Varies, sometimes Exercising my chest, I felt it once.

[Sarah.woodhouse]

Is it normal to get heart flutters just breathing in and out ?

[nicunurse]

Could you feel afib palpitations, such as quivering sensation in chest?

[bruceb]

What does inverted t-waves mean on EKG?

[bobmarshall]

Volume was too low. Try pausing between points you make instead of speaking without a break because you're running all your words together.

[taylorramirez]

I was having heart palpitations a few times a day for a week straight and then it went away… Felt like my heart was skipping a beat but it was strong. Is this normal or should I go see a cardiologist?