- Take in a deep breath, hold it for five seconds and release it slowly until it feels as though you have no air left. Imagine trying to push your stomach into your back as you release your breath. This technique, used to relax insomnia patients, is also good for relaxing your heart. It reduces tension and this aids in normal heart function. Removing stress factors from your life will go a long way in warding off those palpitations.
- Exercise is the number one thing you can do for your heart. If you notice palpitations after a few minutes cleaning house or chasing the kids around the yard, it is probably due to lack of exercise. Remember, your heart is a muscle, and it has to be kept in shape. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of exercise four times a week. Walking is a great aerobic exercise that will help condition your heart. You should walk briskly enough so that you can talk but not sing along to the tunes you've downloaded on your iPod.
- It stands to reason that if coffee is a stimulant, it probably only aggravates those palpitations. But coffee isn't the only culprit. Many over-the-counter medications like aspirin contain caffeine and have the same effect on your heart. Unless you just like to constrict your heart arteries and trigger those palpitations, don't smoke. Nicotine is a drug and, along with the other harmful chemicals in cigarettes, can cause unwanted sensations in your heart. While your heart palpitations may not be dangerous, smoking does lead to heart disease and will damage your heart. Keep in mind that if you use prescription birth control in conjunction with smoking you are writing your own ticket to the nearest cardiologist.
