Overview General support • You have been seen in the Emergency • For general medical advice please use Department because of heart the NHS website, the NHS 111 service, palpitations. This leaflet discusses walk-in-centres, or your GP. possible causes, how to avoid a • The NHS website provides online health recurrence and when to seek help. information and guidance www.nhs.uk • Heart palpitations are heartbeats that • NHS 111 phone line offers medical help suddenly become more noticeable. and advice from trained advisers Palpitations may seem alarming and be supported by nurses and paramedics. uncomfortable. Palpitations Available 24 hours a day. Calls are free Advice for patients seen in the • Although palpitations can be caused by from landlines and mobile phones. abnormal rhythms such as Emergency Department • There are walk-in and urgent treatment supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) services at Brighton Station, in Crawley and atrial fibrillation which may require and at Lewes Victoria Hospital. treatment, this is unusual and the vast www.bsuh.nhs.uk/services/ae/ majority do not need any treatment. • Patient Advice and Liaison Service • During your visit, we may have carried (PALS) can be contacted with your out a trace of your heart (an ECG, comments and concerns, and to provide electrocardiogram) and taken some general support. [email protected] observations of your heart rate, blood RSCH: 01273 664683. pressure and temperature. We may also PRH: 01444 448678 have taken blood tests or a chest x-ray. PALS, Royal Sussex County Hospital, • If you are getting recurrent episodes of Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5BE Emergency Department palpitations it is worth discussing this with your GP who may arrange further © Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust Royal Sussex County Hospital outpatient tests such as a 24 hour ECG Level 5, Thomas Kemp Tower, monitor. Disclaimer: The information in this leaflet is for guidance Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5BE purposes only and is in no way intended to replace 01273 696955 extn. 64261 professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner. • This leaflet also explains when you Princess Royal Hospital should seek urgent medical attention. Ref number: 936 Publication date: August 2019 Lewes Road, Haywards Heath RH16 4EX Review date: August 2021 01444 448745 www.bsuh.nhs.uk Palpitations smoking; recreational drugs, rich or When to see your GP spicy foods. In these cases, the palpitations should go away without any • Heart palpitations are heartbeats that treatment. Avoiding these triggers may • You don't usually need to see your GP if suddenly become more noticeable. help stop them coming back. the palpitations pass quickly and occur only occasionally. They're unlikely to be • Excitement, anxiety, stress and panic • You may feel your heart is pounding, caused by a serious problem and attacks can also cause palpitations. fluttering or beating irregularly, often for probably won't need treatment. just a few seconds or minutes. You may Breathing exercises and panic attack also feel these sensations in your throat tips may help if you're feeling stressed, • You should see your GP if: or neck. anxious or panicky. o the palpitations last a long time, • Palpitations are often most noticeable at • A variety of medications can sometimes don't improve or get worse; night or when you are alone. cause palpitations. These include o you have a history of heart asthma medications, some blood • Palpitations may seem alarming, but in problems; pressure medications, antihistamines, most cases they're harmless and aren't macrolide antibiotics, some o you are concerned about the a sign of a serious problem. antidepressants and antifungal palpitations. • Sometimes you may feel an extra or medications. Speak to your GP if you • Your GP may arrange further tests or missed beat. These are known as think your medication may be the cause. refer you to an outpatient clinic at your ectopic beats and are also usually • Hormonal changes during a woman’s local hospital. nothing to worry about. period, pregnancy or the menopause may cause palpitations – these are Seek emergency help Causes usually temporary. • Call 999 or attend your local A&E if you • Causes of heart palpitations include: • Specific heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular have heart palpitations along with any of o lifestyle triggers tachycardia and ventricular tachycardias the following symptoms: o emotions and psychological triggers are known as arrhythmias. o severe shortness of breath o medication • Certain heart conditions associated with o chest pain or tightness heart valves, enlarged heart muscles o hormone changes o and reduced pumping ability of the heart dizziness or light-headedness o heart rhythm problems may also cause palpitations. o fainting or blackouts. o heart conditions • Other medical conditions such as thyroid • These symptoms could indicate a o other medical conditions. problems, anaemia, low blood sugar, serious or potentially life-threatening fever, dehydration and a low blood heart problem that should be checked • Life style triggers include: strenuous pressure on standing can also cause by a doctor as soon as possible. exercise; not getting enough sleep; palpitations. drinks containing caffeine, alcohol; .