Palpitation

Rapid pulsation or throbbing of the heart.

Irregular beating or pulsation of the heart.

A noticeably forceful heartbeat.

Rapid, strong beating of the heart, associated with emotional arousal and certain heart abnormalities.

Sensation of irregular, strong, or fluttering heartbeat in the chest or neck.

The sensation of a strong, fast, or irregular heartbeat. Palpitations can be unpleasant, but they usually last for only a few seconds. They may occur alone or with other symptoms, such as sweating, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and light headedness.

An awareness of the heart beat. This is normal with fear, emotion, or exertion. It may also be a symptom of neurosis arrhythmias, heart disease, and overactivity of the circulation (as in thyrotoxicosis).

Forcible and/or irregular beating of the heart such that the person becomes conscious of its action.

A sensation of rapid or irregular beating of the heart. The beating may be described as a thudding sensation, a fluttering, or a throbbing that is felt beneath the sternum or in the neck. In clinical practice, most palpitations are felt by patients with benign premature ventricular or atrial contractions. In these patients, the sensation, although disturbing, is not associated with serious heart disease. Occasionally palpitations are caused by sustained arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, or ventricular tachycardia. Electrocardiography, outpatient cardiac monitoring, or cardiology consultation may be needed to determine whether a patient’s symptoms are benign or hazardous.

A sensation or consciousness of one’s heartbeat in the chest, often perceived as being unusually fast or strong.

Palpitations are often experienced during stressful or scary situations or after intense physical activity. If they occur during relaxation or calm moments, they are typically caused by ectopic heartbeats, manifesting as a flutter or thud in the chest. These sensations are more commonly linked to consumption of alcohol or caffeine, or smoking, rather than an underlying disease. However, palpitations can also be a result of cardiac arrhythmias (heartbeat irregularities), anemia (lowered levels of the oxygen-transporting molecule, hemoglobin, in the blood), or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), which can accelerate the heart rate.

If palpitations are frequent or accompanied by symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or dizziness, they could signify a deeper health issue and should be promptly addressed by a medical professional. A 24-hour ECG and tests for thyroid function might be conducted to diagnose the cause. The treatment will vary based on the root of the problem.