How to Prevent Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations can appear with no warning. One day you may feel your heart flutter, beat too hard or too fast, or maybe you feel it skip a beat. These are heart palpitations, which can lead to a sense of panic and cause you fear and worry. Most of the time, though, heart palpitations are harmless, and the best way to ease any fears you may have is to understand how to prevent them.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Stress
-
1
Cut down on stress. High levels of stress may result in health problems, and this is particularly true when it comes to your heart. Stress can cause heart palpitations, and you can learn to control it by practicing yoga, learning Tai Chi or any activity that teaches you relaxation techniques.
-
2
Pay attention to the medicines you take. Taking certain medicines, especially those that contain stimulants, can cause heart palpitations. Caffeine and nicotine also have a stimulating effect on the heart, so it is wise either to cut down or stop consumption of these.
-
-
3
Watch how you exercise. Exercise is good for you as long as you do it in moderation and within the limits of your physical condition. If you try to exercise beyond your body's limits and condition, it can cause heart palpitations. Build exercise up slowly as your body adjusts to being active.
-
4
Control or prevent palpitations with medication. Panic or anxiety attacks can trigger heart palpitations, and medication can help stop them by reducing the frequency of panic or anxiety episodes. Depression can also cause palpitations, so anti-depressants may help as well.
-
5
Get regular checkups with your doctor to determine if you may have a medical condition that can cause heart palpitations. Thyroid disorders, anemia, heart disease, pre-menopause, high cholesterol and high or low blood pressure can also cause palpitations.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Many cough and cold medicines and diet pills contain ingredients that can trigger heart palpitations. Illegal drugs, especially amphetamines, can cause them as well.
