Palpitations: Check Your Symptoms and Signs With the Symptom Checker by MedicineNet.com

Palpitations Symptoms

Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index

Terms related to Palpitations:

Heart Palpitations
Heartbeat Sensations

Palpitations are the unpleasant sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart in the chest. This symptom can be caused by a change in the rate or rhythm, or by an increase in the force of the contraction of the heart muscle. In some patients with palpitations, no heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms can be found. In others, palpitations result from abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are heartbeats that are too slow, too rapid, irregular, or too early.

Main Articles on Palpitations

Causes of Palpitations

Alcoholism Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as...learn more »
Aortic Stenosis Aortic valve stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart. The causes of aortic stenosis are wear and tear...learn more »
Atrial Fibrillation Atrial fibrillation is an abnormality in the heart rhythm which involves irregular and often rapid beating of the heart....learn more »
Depression Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one...learn more »
Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone resulting from an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart...learn more »
Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia is a syndrome caused by low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include palpitations, trembling, intense hunger,...learn more »
Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is also also known as "click murmur syndrome" and "Barlow's syndrome." Mitral valve prolapse is the...learn more »
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are premature heartbeats originating from the ventricles of the heart. PVCs are...learn more »
Smoking (How to Quit Smoking) Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or...learn more »
Stress Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However,...learn more »

Other Causes of Palpitations