Why Your Heart Skips a Beat: The Truth Behind Palpitations

By Vaishnavi Malvankar, MSc ECMO and Pediatric Perfusion

Many people use the phrase “You made my heart skip a beat” about various situations, such as fear, surprise, love, etc. But do you know what skipping a heartbeat means? In this article, we will discuss some reasons why the heart skips a beat and what you can do about it. So let us dive in and learn a few important things about the engine of our body — the heart.

Why Does the Heart Skip a Beat?

Skipping a heartbeat is generally referred to as heart palpitations. Palpitations are a feeling or sensation of a pounding heart, fluttering chest, irregular heartbeat, or racing heartbeat. Various reasons can cause such palpitations. Here are a few common causes of heart palpitations:

1. Too Much Caffeine or Alcohol:
The heart functions as the engine of our body, and what fuel we put in affects that engine. In other words, our diet has a huge impact on our heart health. Too much caffeine or alcohol stimulates our hormonal system and promotes the release of noradrenaline and norepinephrine. These hormones cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. A healthy lifestyle and a good diet help maintain good heart health.

2. Stress and Anxiety:
Our mental health is as important as our physical health. Sometimes people experience heart palpitations when they are stressed or nervous. Excessive stress can cause your heartbeat to change and behave strangely, sometimes resulting in panic attacks. Measures such as an active lifestyle, exercise, meditation, and a mental health support group can help manage stress and anxiety.

3. Medications:
Some medications, such as antibiotics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, etc., can cause heart palpitations. While palpitations can be a normal side effect, one should always inform their doctor about them.

4. Hormonal Imbalance or Hormonal Changes:
Some hormonal changes or imbalances experienced during periods, pregnancy, and menopause may cause heart palpitations. People with an overactive thyroid can experience a racing or pounding heart or heart palpitations more often.

5. Atrial Fibrillation:
A-Fib or atrial fibrillation is an unsynchronized motion of the heart's upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles). This unsynchronized motion is sometimes caused by an electrical misfire in the atria. During atrial fibrillation, some people experience a racing or pounding heart, while others might not experience any symptoms. A-Fib is a serious heart condition, though usually not life-threatening. However, if there are frequent episodes of atrial fibrillation and shortness of breath, medical intervention may be needed.

6. Ectopic Heartbeats:
An ectopic heartbeat is when there is a premature heartbeat — in other words, your heart beats too soon. This premature beat disturbs the heart rhythm and causes it to feel like it skipped a beat. Ectopics can be scary, but usually aren’t life-threatening. Various factors, such as alcohol consumption, stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, or obesity, can cause ectopic heartbeats.

When to See a Doctor

Although heart palpitations are not usually life-threatening, here are a few situations where you might need to see a doctor:

• Experiencing shortness of breath or breathlessness

• Dizziness

• Light-headedness

• Continuous feeling of tiredness

• Always low on energy

• Palpitations do not resolve on their own

• Recurrent palpitations

• Ongoing heart disease

While the phrase “You made my heart skip a beat” may sound romantic or exciting, in medical terms, it often points to heart palpitations—an experience that can range from benign to potentially serious. Recognizing the underlying causes, whether it's stress, lifestyle choices, or underlying medical conditions, is essential to managing and preventing them. If you're frequently experiencing palpitations or accompanying symptoms like dizziness or breathlessness, it's crucial to seek medical advice. Remember, your heart is the powerhouse of your body—take care of it with mindfulness, a balanced lifestyle, and regular check-ups.

_{Note: This content is purely informational and isn’t medical guidance. It shouldn’t replace professional medical counsel. Always consult your physician regarding treatment risks and benefits.}

_MSM/DP