Q. Are heart palpitations dangerous?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Heart palpitations can be concerning, but it is important to remember that they are often not dangerous. Most of the time, heart palpitations are the result of stress or an increase in physical activity and not something more serious.
However, if you experience frequent or ongoing palpitations, then it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as arrhythmia or even a heart attack. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to your body and see a doctor if your palpitations become persistent or occur with other symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting spells etc.
Your doctor may order certain tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests to detect any abnormalities in heart rhythm. In some cases depending on the severity of your condition , they might also recommend medications such as beta-blockers which help reduce the intensity and frequency of heart palpitations by slowing down your heartbeat . Other lifestyle changes like exercising regularly , decreasing stress , managing caffeine intake etc might also help alleviate symptoms associated with irregular beating .