What Causes Fluttering In My Chest?

Do you ever feel like your heart is doing a little dance in your chest? It can be a strange and scary sensation, but it’s one that can easily be managed.

Cardiologist Philip George Jr., MD, is a board-certified cardiologist with Franciscan Physician Network in Indianapolis. Dr. George explains why fluttering in your chest happens, and what you can do about heart palpitations.

What Causes A Feeling Of Fluttering In My Chest?

Your heart is a powerful muscle that pumps blood throughout your body. It does this with a regular beat, like a drum. It's like a hiccup in your heart's rhythm. Instead of beating regularly, it goes all over the place. This can make your chest feel like it's fluttering or quivering.

Sometimes, though, you might feel a fluttering or pounding in your chest. This sensation is called heart palpitations.

The fluttering in your heart is the classic symptom of atrial fibrillation or AFib. AFib is a condition characterized by a disrupted heartbeat. A malfunction in the electrical system of the heart makes the upper chambers of the heart (called the atria) beat so quickly that they twitch or skip beats. This, in turn, causes the heart's lower chambers, or ventricles, to beat in an uncoordinated way. The resulting irregular beats cause a fluttering heart rate that beats much faster than normal.

“While it sounds serious, many AFib cases can be managed effectively with the right treatment plan,” Dr. George said. “The key is to get a proper diagnosis and work closely with your healthcare team."

What Causes AFib?

The causes of AFib are usually related to other medical conditions that increase the level of stress placed on the heart. These might include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart attack or coronary artery disease
• Heart failure
• Heart valve irregularities
• Sleep apnea

Less common causes of AFib might include a thyroid disorder or a severe infection like pneumonia.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have AFib?

If you suspect AFib or are experiencing heart palpitations or a feeling of fluttering in the chest, the first step is to contact your primary care doctor. Your doctor is likely to order an electrocardiogram (EKG). An EKG is used to detect heart rhythm problems by recording the heart's electrical activity. EKGs can be completed in the doctor's office or can be conducted over the course of one or two days with a continuous rhythm, or Holter, monitor worn on the body.

How Is AFib Treated?

If your symptoms are mild or if they come and go, medication can be used to control AFib. There are heart-rate controlling medications, which slow a rapid heart rate so the heart can pump more effectively, and there are heart-rhythm controlling meds which slow the electrical signals and bring the heartbeat into a normal rhythm.

Some people may begin a daily routine of blood thinners, or anticoagulants, to help prevent blood clots from forming. Your doctor will talk with you about your best options for blood thinning.

“Some people with elevated risk factors should be on blood thinners because of the increased risk for a stroke,” Dr. George said. “Because of the irregular heartbeat, blood may pool in the atria and cause a clot. These clots can in turn, break loose and lead to a stroke which is the greatest danger of AFib.”

There are also newer procedures being done to control clots which may decrease the need for blood-thinning medications.

If medications don't bring your AFib symptoms under control, there are procedures available that may help such as cardioversion, catheter/surgical ablation options. Cardioversion involves a mild electric shock which resets the heart’s rhythm. Ablation consists of burning or freezing parts of the heart that contribute to the abnormal beats. The resulting scar tissue blocks the abnormal electrical signals.

What Can I Do To Help Control AFib?

The good news is that there are steps you can take in your daily routine to eliminate the triggers for fluttering in the chest or potential AFib. These include:

• Restricting fat, salt and sugar in your diet
• Managing stress
• Reducing use of alcohol and caffeine
• Stopping tobacco use
• Controlling your weight
• Treating sleep apnea
• Exercising
• Avoiding medications like cough and cold medicine that contain stimulants that make the heart beat faster.

These steps can help keep your heart strong and reduce the chances of feeling those fluttering sensations in your chest.

“A heart-healthy diet, regular exercise and stress management can go a long way in keeping your heart in good shape and heart palpitations under control,” Dr. George said. “Don't underestimate the power of a healthy lifestyle."

Are There Other Possible Causes Of Heart Palpitations?

Heart palpitations can be caused by various things, especially if you're stressed, had too much caffeine, or just finished exercising. Some medications or not drinking enough water might do it too. These triggers can make your heart race for a while, and that's when you feel the fluttering.

While feeling heart palpitations can be a strange and unsettling experience, but there's often a simple explanation for it. Whether it's stress, too much caffeine, or something more serious like AFib, it's always a good idea to talk to a doctor. They can figure out what's going on and help you get back to a steady and healthy heartbeat.