It causes the bottom chambers of the heart to beat too quickly, which means that a person can grow dizzy and short of breath. Until aFib, ventricular tachycardia is a rare condition. When it’s diagnosed early, however, aFib has many effective treatment options, including medication or a pacemaker. Although this is a fairly common condition, it increases the risk of stroke. Sometimes, heart palpitations can be a sign of atrial fibrillation (commonly known as aFib), which causes the heart’s top chambers to beat irregularly. Some serious conditions that may cause heart palpitations include: Atrial fibrillation Please call an ambulance or seek emergency care if any of these occur with heart palpitations: Sometimes, heart palpitations are signals that something serious is wrong in the body. When Are Heart Palpitations An Emergency? Hormone changes are another cause, which is why palpitations are more likely to occur in people who are pregnant, menstruating or in menopause. Less commonly, heart palpitations at night can be a sign of something more significant, such as depression, anxiety, low blood pressure, hyperthyroidism (which is an overactive thyroid) or arrhythmia (which is an abnormal heart rate). Fatigue and insufficient sleep are other culprits. They might even result from consuming things like coffee, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol or rich foods. Sometimes they happen after we exercise more than we usually do. Heart palpitations can be due to many conditions, from the ordinary to the severe. If you’re experiencing heart palpitations, however, it’s helpful to know more about what they are and what causes them in the rare chance that they point to a serious cause. Usually, palpitations are harmless and are not something that should cause you to worry. They occur most frequently to side sleepers – especially people who sleep on their left sides – as sleeping on your side can create some pressure within your body. While it can be a scary feeling, nighttime heart palpitations are actually quite common. How Common – And How Serious – Are Heart Palpitations At Night? While we may experience heart palpitations at any hour of the day, we are more likely to notice them at night while we’re laying down. You may even feel it in your neck or throat. It may feel like your heart has skipped a beat or perhaps it’s had a few extra beats. What Does A Heart Palpitation Feel Like?Ī heart palpitation may feel like a flutter or a pounding heart. When they occur repeatedly and with other symptoms, however, you should consult a doctor. Most of the time these palpitations are harmless and occur in healthy people. It’s a scary feeling: In the middle of the night, you feel your heart flutter in a way that makes you wonder if something may be wrong.

Heart quivers for a few seconds