Why Does My Heart Feel Like It’s Skipping A Beat?

Nearly everyone has experienced the sensation of their heart skipping a beat. It can feel like a fluttering or “flip-flopping” in your chest. Such heart palpitations are common — particularly in instances of fear, panic or anxiety.

But if heart palpitations become frequent, you should talk to your provider about your symptoms. If you often notice your heart skipping a beat, you may have a cardiac condition known as an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.

Key Takeaways: Understanding Heart Palpitations

• Heart palpitations are common, but you should discuss them with your doctor if they happen frequently.
• You can address most heart palpitations with lifestyle or diet changes.
• If heart palpitations persist, they could be a sign of a more serious medical condition.
• Getting treatment for AFib, a common heart arrhythmia, can reduce your risk of stroke.

Does A Pulse Skipping A Beat Mean Something Is Wrong With My Heart?

Having a heart palpitation is not always a cause for concern.

“Heart palpitations, when you feel your heart skip a beat or ‘flip-flop’ in your chest, are actually quite common," said Shivang Shah, MD, a board-certified cardiologist with Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians in Indianapolis who specializes in cardiac electrophysiology.

Usually, heart palpitations are short-lived and come without complications. “Sometimes people experience a strong sensation in their chest or neck that makes them feel briefly uneasy,” Dr. Shah said. “Most of the time, the person has no other long-lasting symptoms.”

Synonymous with your heart rate, your pulse is the number of times your heart beats per minute. If your pulse skips a beat, it’s generally safe to pause your activity level for a few moments to see if your heart rate returns to a normal pattern.

When heart palpitations occur with no other symptoms, they are typically not a cause for alarm. Minor pulse skipping incidents could link to stress or to the use of certain medications, including some drugs used to manage asthma, ADHD, depression or hypertension (high blood pressure).

Alternatively, the sensation of your heart skipping a beat might stem from an overuse of nicotine or alcohol. It might also signal that your body is low in potassium or magnesium, that you’re dehydrated or that you’re getting inadequate sleep.

“If the symptoms go away quickly, there's usually nothing to worry about,” Dr. Shah said.

How To Stop Heart Palpitations Naturally

You may reduce heart palpitations if you cut back on coffee or alcohol or switch to medications that don’t interfere with your regular heart rhythms.

The American Heart Association suggests that you can prevent some heart arrhythmias with heart-healthy habits. These include:

• Exercise regularly
• Follow a heart-healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, fiber and plenty of water
• Get adequate rest
• Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Practice stress management and reduce anxiety
• Stop smoking and the use of other illicit drugs
• Take medications as directed

“The right lifestyle changes and the right treatment at the right time are key to staying heart-healthy,” Dr. Shah said.

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and their severity. This is especially important if you have heart disease or a family history of heart disease.

When Can Heart Palpitations Be A Sign Of Serious Heart Problems?

If heart palpitation symptoms persist, irregular heart rhythms could be a sign of an underlying condition, such as:

• Anemia
• Arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AFib)
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart valve problems or other heart defects
• Thyroid problems

"Heart palpitations may be a sign of a more serious heart rhythm disorder. When an irregular heartbeat continues or speeds up for longer periods of time, you may have atrial fibrillation (AFib). Untreated, AFib can put you at risk for stroke or heart attack,” Dr. Shah said.

Marked by a rapid, irregular heartbeat, AFib is one of the most common types of arrhythmia. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 12 million people will experience AFib by 2030. The condition can significantly increase a person’s risk of blood clots and stroke. Speak to your provider and get screened for AFib or other arrhythmias if your heart palpitation symptoms persist.

People with AFib might have other symptoms alongside their heart palpitations. These may include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating and confusion. However, some people have AFib without any symptoms at all.

If you are diagnosed with AFib, your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist. AFib is highly manageable with medication and treatments like surgery or the use of medical devices to help correct your irregular heartbeat.

When to seek emergency care

If you experience heart palpitations accompanied by chest pain, arm pain, lightheadedness or nausea, call 911. These could be signs of a heart attack, and you should seek emergency assistance right away.

Talk With Your Doctor About Your Symptoms

If you have frequent heart palpitations, don’t ignore them. Make an appointment with a cardiovascular specialist to discuss your symptoms. We can help identify the root cause of your heart rhythm disorder — and get you on a path to better heart health.