Be still your heart – we’re heading into the heart syndrome holiday season, the time of year when eating and drinking after a raucous frenzy can set your heart racing.
While heart palpitations can be “surprising and very disturbing,” a Georgia-based heart surgeon assures them that they are very rarely dangerous or life-threatening.
“Normally, palpitations are caused by emotional stress, caffeine, alcohol or even lack of sleep, and in most cases, they don’t last for long periods,” said Dr. Jeremy London explained on TikTok on Monday.
Palpitations are described as a rapid fluttering, rolling or pounding sensation in the chest. You may feel like your heart is racing or beating abnormally.
Palpitations are more common in women due to hormonal changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that palpitations can be from vigorous exercise, stress, depression, caffeine, alcohol or diet pill consumption, smoking, an overactive thyroid, fever, low blood pressure, heart disease, or a response to certain medications.
It’s unclear how common palpitations are because not everyone goes to the doctor when they notice their heart is beating fast.
One study estimated that 16% of patients reported palpitations to their doctor.
They are so common between Thanksgiving and Christmas that they have earned the name holiday heart syndrome.
London said you should seek medical attention if your palpitations do not go away or become more frequent, if you feel light-headed or faint, or if you have chest pain that radiates to your jaw, arm or back.
You may need heart monitoring tests if you have frequent palpitations and a history of heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Sometimes palpitations can signal a serious problem such as an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
Palpitations often go away on their own – treatment may include managing stress and avoiding triggers such as alcohol or spicy foods.
If there is a more serious heart problem at play, medication or a defibrillator may be needed to detect and stop the irregular heartbeat.
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