Heart Palpitations

What is a palpitation and are they serious?

A heart palpitation is where you suddenly become aware of your heart beat. It might feel like your heart is racing, thumping, or skipping beats. You might notice it when you're exercising, when you're particularly stressed, or after having a coffee or cigarette.

Types of palpitations include:

• Arrhythmias. This is where your heart beat is disturbed. Some make your heart skip a beat, or have an extra beat every now and then, but they generally don't affect your health. However, some types of arrhythmias are more serious – and can be treated with medicine, surgery or other medical procedures.
• Bradycardia. This is where your heart beat is unusually slow. This may be the result of a physical disorder. It can cause excessive tiredness, dizziness and light-headedness, because not enough blood is reaching your brain.
• Tachycardia. This is where your heart beat is fast. It can be a normal response to exercise, or it can be more serious. Ventricular tachycardia is potentially life-threatening.

To find out more about these conditions, speak to your doctor.

For more information:

• FAQs post heart attack
• Heart facts and statistics
• Learning CPR: why it's important
• Risk factors of a heart attack
• How Cartia can make a difference