Q. How is dehydration related to palpitations?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Dehydration can certainly cause palpitations, but it is often misunderstood as a health issue. It’s important to understand what exactly palpitations are before delving into the connection between dehydration and this type of symptom. Palpitations occur when your heart begins to beat faster or harder than normal. This sensation is usually felt in your chest, throat, or neck and can be caused by many different issues such as exercise, drinking alcohol or caffeine, stress and anxiety, hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, some medications like those used for asthma and allergies.
Adequate hydration plays an important role in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. When our bodies are deprived of water for long periods of time (dehydration) our blood pressure may rise significantly due to an inability to maintain efficient circulation levels throughout the body's vital organs - including the heart!
Dehydration has also been linked to electrolyte imbalances that can cause decreased cardiac output and weakened electrical impulses from the brain which can lead to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat). These arrhythmias may include increased palpitation frequency and intensity leading towards palpitations associated with rapid heartbeats that causes feelings of skipped beats or pounding in the chest area accompanied by lightheadedness.
It is therefore advised that people drink enough fluids throughout their day - preferably water - to ensure they do not become dehydrated which could potentially help prevent palpitations related symptoms!