When Should I Be Worried About Heart Palpitations?

When Should I Be Worried About Heart Palpitations?

When Should I Be Worried About Heart Palpitations?

When Should I Be Worried About Heart Palpitations?

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Here are 4 signs of heart attack to be on the lookout for:

  • #1: Chest Pain, Pressure, Squeezing, and Fullness. …
  • #2: Arm, Back, Neck, Jaw, or Stomach Pain or Discomfort. …
  • #3: Shortness of Breath, Nausea, and Lightheadedness. …
  • #4: Breaking Out in a Cold Sweat. …
  • Heart Attack Symptoms: Women vs Men. …
  • What Next? …
  • Next Steps.

How can you tell the difference between heart palpitations and heart attack?

Key takeaways: Heart attacks and palpitations can both feel scary, but they are two different things. Heart attacks happen when the blood supply to a part of the heart is cut off due to a blockage in an artery. Palpitations are a feeling that your heart is beating very fast.

How do you know if palpitations are serious?

Seek emergency medical attention if heart palpitations are accompanied by:

  1. Chest discomfort or pain.
  2. Fainting.
  3. Severe shortness of breath.
  4. Severe dizziness.

Should I go to ER for heart palpitations?

We recommend seeking emergency medical attention if heart palpitations have other physical symptoms such as: Dizziness & weakness. Lightheadedness. Fainting.

What is the most common cause of heart palpitations?

Common triggers of heart palpitations include: strenuous exercise. not getting enough sleep. drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks.

What does it mean when you have a weird feeling in your chest?

This fleeting feeling like your heart is fluttering is a called a heart palpitation, and most of the time it’s not cause for concern. Heart palpitations can be caused by anxiety, dehydration, a hard workout or if you’ve consumed caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or even some cold and cough medications.

When should you go to the hospital for heart palpitations?

You should also call 911 right away if someone you’re with complains of heart palpitations along with chest pains, dizziness, unusual sweating, or lightheadedness, or if they faint, feel lightheaded, or lose consciousness.

Can anxiety cause heart palpitations all day?

With anxiety, you may experience acute attacks or become stuck in this response, which can lead to persistent heart palpitations.

What does a heart blockage feel like?

The symptoms of an artery blockage include chest pain and tightness, and shortness of breath. Imagine driving through a tunnel. On Monday, you encounter a pile of rubble. There is a narrow gap, big enough to drive through.

What are the warning signs of clogged arteries?

Symptoms

  • Chest pain (angina). You may feel pressure or tightness in your chest, as if someone were standing on your chest. …
  • Shortness of breath. If your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs, you may develop shortness of breath or extreme fatigue with activity.
  • Heart attack.

Can you have heart attack with normal BP?

Blood pressure is not an accurate predictor of a heart attack. Sometimes a heart attack can cause an increase or decrease in blood pressure, but having a change in blood pressure reading doesn’t always mean it’s heart-related. Instead, a better strategy for gauging a heart attack is to look at your overall symptoms.

How many heart palpitations is too many?

If you’re sitting down and feeling calm, your heart shouldn’t beat more than about 100 times per minute. A heartbeat that’s faster than this, also called tachycardia, is a reason to come to the emergency department and get checked out. We often see patients whose hearts are beating 160 beats per minute or more.

How do I stop constant heart palpitations?

The following methods can help to reduce palpitations.

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  1. Perform relaxation techniques. …
  2. Reduce or eliminate stimulant intake. …
  3. Stimulate the vagus nerve. …
  4. Keep electrolytes balanced. …
  5. Keep hydrated. …
  6. Avoid excessive alcohol use. …
  7. Exercise regularly.

Why does my heart miss a beat?

Lifestyle triggers

Strenuous exercise, not getting enough sleep, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol can all lead to heart palpitations. Smoking tobacco, using illicit drugs such as cocaine, or eating rich or spicy foods can also cause the heart to skip a beat.

How long is too long for heart palpitations?

You should call your doctor if your heart palpitations last longer than a few seconds at a time or occur frequently. If you’re healthy, you don’t need to worry about brief heart palpitations that only happen every now and then.

What does it mean when your heart beats really fast and then stops?

SVT happens when the electrical system that controls your heart rhythm is not working properly. This causes your heart to suddenly beat much faster. It can then slow down abruptly. A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm).

Is water good for heart palpitations?

Drink water

That can increase your pulse rate and potentially lead to palpitations. If you feel your pulse climb, reach for a glass of water. If you notice your urine is dark yellow, drink more fluids to prevent palpitations.

How do I get rid of the nervous feeling in my chest?

Home remedies

  1. Practice deep breathing. Focused, deep breaths can calm both your mind and your body. …
  2. Take stock of the situation. Accept your feelings of anxiety, recognize them, and then work through putting them in perspective. …
  3. Picture a beautiful scene. …
  4. Use a relaxation app. …
  5. Be proactive about your physical health.

Why do you feel anxiety in your chest?

Tight Muscles – Anxiety will run tension through the body and impact different muscles. People feel the tightness in other areas. Some will feel it in their neck, jaw, chest, or the stomach. There is no specific area – wherever the brain sends the nerve signals.

What does anxiety feel like in your chest?

Usually, the symptoms of anxiety chest pain entail a persistent chest aching, sharp/shooting pain, muscle twitch or spasm on the chest. People may feel tension, numbness, stabbing, or a burning sensation in their chest area, lasting for 5 to 10 seconds.

What is the best medicine for heart palpitations?

Medications called beta blockers are the most commonly used type of drug to treat palpitations. These drugs slow the heart rate and control the electricity flowing through the heart. A medical procedure called an ablation can be performed by your cardiologist to help control palpitations from arrhythmias.

What supplements help heart palpitations?

Vitamin C. Arrhythmias and other heart conditions are associated with oxidant stress and inflammation. Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E appear to be effective in reducing these. You can use vitamin C to treat colds, the flu, and even cancer, and it can also help with arrhythmia.

Is coffee good for heart palpitations?

Reduce or eliminate beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee or soda to avoid palpitations. Consuming large quantities of chocolate has been linked to heart palpitations. Chocolate provides the same stimulants as caffeine and can trigger abnormal heart rhythms.

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Palpitations are more common as you age. Usually, these occasional arrhythmias are nothing to worry about. But in some cases, extra or irregular beats can cause bothersome symptoms or lead to other types of sustained, rapid heart rhythms.

What does occasional heart flutters mean?

Heart palpitations (pal-pih-TAY-shuns) are feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart. Stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them. Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they’re usually harmless.

Why does my heart flutter every once in awhile?

Palpitations are basically a heightened awareness of your own heartbeat, explains Swadia. Your heart might beat faster, slower or differently than usual for a few reasons. Rapid, fast heartbeat at rest could be caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, thyroid pills, cold medication, asthma drugs or diet pills.

What does heart fluttering feel like?

Palpitations can feel like the heart is fluttering, throbbing, flip-flopping, murmuring, or pounding. They can also feel like the heart skips a beat. Some people feel palpitations as a pounding in the chest or neck; others feel them as a general sense of unease.

What does it mean when your heart flutters like a butterfly?

Anxiety or stress is the root of most chest butterflies—also referred to as heart palpitations—and they can stimulate a surge of adrenaline in the body. The adrenaline rush then produces a faster and stronger than normal heartbeat. That’s when you get the feeling of a butterfly or flutter in the chest.

How do I stop my heart from fluttering?

The following methods can help to reduce palpitations.

  1. Perform relaxation techniques. …
  2. Reduce or eliminate stimulant intake. …
  3. Stimulate the vagus nerve. …
  4. Keep electrolytes balanced. …
  5. Keep hydrated. …
  6. Avoid excessive alcohol use. …
  7. Exercise regularly.

What is the difference between heart palpitations and arrhythmia?

A heart that beats irregularly, too fast or too slow is experiencing an arrhythmia. A palpitation is a short-lived feeling like a feeling of a heart racing or of a short-lived arrhythmia.

Is coffee good for heart palpitations?

Reduce or eliminate beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee or soda to avoid palpitations. Consuming large quantities of chocolate has been linked to heart palpitations. Chocolate provides the same stimulants as caffeine and can trigger abnormal heart rhythms.

Can dehydration cause palpitations?

Dehydration can cause heart palpitations. That’s because your blood contains water, so when you become dehydrated, your blood can become thicker. The thicker your blood is, the harder your heart has to work to move it through your veins. That can increase your pulse rate and potentially lead to palpitations.

Can anxiety give you palpitations?

“The fight-or-flight response speeds up your heart rate, so your body gets more blood flow,” explains Dr. Bibawy. “The increased blood flow gives you a burst of energy to fight or run from danger. That’s why many people notice palpitations when they’re scared, nervous or anxious — and it’s completely normal.

Can salt give you palpitations?

Eating spicy or rich foods can also trigger heart palpitations. High sodium foods can also cause palpitations. Many common foods, especially canned or processed foods, contain sodium as a preservative.

Should I go to ER for heart palpitations?

We recommend seeking emergency medical attention if heart palpitations have other physical symptoms such as: Dizziness & weakness. Lightheadedness. Fainting.

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Why do I get heart palpitations when lying down?

Patients may ask, “Why does my heart beat fast when I lay down?” Most often palpitations are caused by the change in position of the body. When you lay down you compress the stomach and chest cavity together, putting pressure on the heart and blood flow and increasing circulation.

Why does my heart miss a beat?

Lifestyle triggers

Strenuous exercise, not getting enough sleep, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol can all lead to heart palpitations. Smoking tobacco, using illicit drugs such as cocaine, or eating rich or spicy foods can also cause the heart to skip a beat.

Are heart palpitations and tachycardia the same thing?

Palpitations can be due to an arrhythmia, usually due to a abnormally rapid heart rate. When the pulse or heart rate is over 100 beats per minute, it is called tachycardia.

Can an irritated vagus nerve cause heart palpitations?

Palpitation that is caused by vagus nerve stimulation rarely involves physical defects of the heart. Such palpitations are extra-cardiac in nature, that is, palpitation originating from outside the heart itself. Accordingly, vagus nerve induced palpitation is not evidence of an unhealthy heart muscle.

What vitamin is good for heart palpitations?

Vitamin C. Arrhythmias and other heart conditions are associated with oxidant stress and inflammation. Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E appear to be effective in reducing these. You can use vitamin C to treat colds, the flu, and even cancer, and it can also help with arrhythmia.

How long is too long for heart palpitations?

You should call your doctor if your heart palpitations last longer than a few seconds at a time or occur frequently. If you’re healthy, you don’t need to worry about brief heart palpitations that only happen every now and then.

How long can you live with irregular heartbeat?

Researchers say advances in prevention ‘essential’ to more gains. More than 2 million Americans have atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart beat that shorten life expectancy by about two years. The mortality rate associated with atrial fibrillation has improved over the past 45 years – but only marginally.

What causes a fluttery feeling in your chest?

This fleeting feeling like your heart is fluttering is a called a heart palpitation, and most of the time it’s not cause for concern. Heart palpitations can be caused by anxiety, dehydration, a hard workout or if you’ve consumed caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or even some cold and cough medications.

What causes fluttering under left breast?

A diaphragm spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction that often causes a fluttering feeling in the chest. It is also common to experience a temporary tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing during the spasm. The diaphragm is a muscle that acts as a partition between the upper abdomen and the chest.

Can stress cause fluttering?

Studies have shown that too much stress can raise your blood pressure and trigger AFib or atrial flutter. To better manage stress, your doctor may recommend that you talk with a therapist who can teach you different coping techniques.

Can heart flutters make you tired?

Heart palpitations

You can work our your heart rate by checking your pulse in your neck or wrist. Other symptoms you may experience if you have atrial fibrillation include: tiredness and being less able to exercise. breathlessness.

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What are the health risks of experiencing heart palpitations? The irregularity of the heart rhythm per se usually does no damage to the heart itself. Patients with a very rapid heart over a long period of time do run a risk of developing enlargement and failure of the heart.

What does it mean when you have heart palpitations all day?

Heart palpitations can affect anyone. They can be harmless changes in your heart rate due to exercise, stress, caffeine, or other factors. However, heart palpitations can also be a sign of serious anxiety or underlying heart problem.

Should I go to urgent care for heart palpitations?

A few cues for you to call 911 and seek medical help right away are if your heart palpitations last a few minutes or longer, if your symptoms are new or get worse, or if they happen alongside other symptoms such as: Pain, pressure, or tightness in your chest. Aching in your neck, jaw, upper back or arm(s)

What does the ER do for heart palpitations?

If a patient comes into the emergency department while the palpitations are going on, we may be able to provide medications to slow the heart rate or convert an abnormal heart rhythm to a normal one. In extreme cases where medications aren’t enough, we may need to do a cardioversion.

Are my palpitations due to anxiety?

Typical signs of anxiety include feelings of nervousness and tension, as well as sweating and an uneasy stomach. One other common symptom of anxiety is an abnormally increased heart rate, also known as heart palpitations. Heart palpitations can feel like your heart is racing, pounding, or fluttering.

What can cause random heart palpitations?

Common causes include:

  • Strong emotional responses, such as stress, anxiety or panic attacks.
  • Depression.
  • Strenuous exercise.
  • Stimulants, including caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, and cold and cough medications that contain pseudoephedrine.
  • Fever.
  • Hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.

How do I know if I have heart problems or anxiety?

People who suffer from panic attacks often say their acute anxiety feels like a heart attack, as many of the symptoms can seem the same. Both conditions can be accompanied by shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, sweating, a pounding heartbeat, dizziness, and even physical weakness or temporary paralysis.

What does heart fluttering feel like?

Heart palpitations are heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable. Your heart may feel like it’s pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly, often for just a few seconds or minutes. You may also feel these sensations in your throat or neck.

How do you calm down palpitations?

The following methods can help to reduce palpitations.

  1. Perform relaxation techniques. …
  2. Reduce or eliminate stimulant intake. …
  3. Stimulate the vagus nerve. …
  4. Keep electrolytes balanced. …
  5. Keep hydrated. …
  6. Avoid excessive alcohol use. …
  7. Exercise regularly.

Will my palpitations ever go away?

Most of the time, heart palpitations are harmless and will go away on their own. In these cases, they do not require treatment. However, heart palpitations can sometimes be a sign of a more serious heart condition.

What is the difference between heart palpitations and arrhythmia?

A heart that beats irregularly, too fast or too slow is experiencing an arrhythmia. A palpitation is a short-lived feeling like a feeling of a heart racing or of a short-lived arrhythmia.

Why do I feel light headed and my heart is beating fast?

If you have an arrhythmia that causes your heart to beat too fast or too slow, you may feel light-headed or dizzy. This happens because your heart cannot pump blood effectively during excessively fast or slow heart rates.

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Is coffee good for heart palpitations?

Reduce or eliminate beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee or soda to avoid palpitations. Consuming large quantities of chocolate has been linked to heart palpitations. Chocolate provides the same stimulants as caffeine and can trigger abnormal heart rhythms.

Can heart palpitations last for months?

Palpitations are usually harmless. Exercise, stress, medication, or even caffeine can provoke palpitations. If they happen frequently or last for longer periods, it could be an indicator of a more serious heart condition like an irregular heartbeat, an overactive thyroid, or heart disease.

What are the signs of an unhealthy heart?

11 Common signs of an unhealthy heart

  • Shortness of breath. …
  • Chest discomfort. …
  • Left shoulder pain. …
  • Irregular heartbeat. …
  • Heartburn, stomach pain or back pain. …
  • Swollen feet. …
  • Lack of stamina. …
  • Sexual health problems.

Does being nervous affect ECG?

During the test, electrodes from an electrocardiography machine are connected to the patient while they exercise on a treadmill. But in people affected by anxiety or depression, heart disease could be falling under the radar in the ECG tests, according to the study.

What supplements help heart palpitations?

Vitamin C. Arrhythmias and other heart conditions are associated with oxidant stress and inflammation. Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E appear to be effective in reducing these. You can use vitamin C to treat colds, the flu, and even cancer, and it can also help with arrhythmia.

Can dehydration cause palpitations?

Dehydration can cause heart palpitations. That’s because your blood contains water, so when you become dehydrated, your blood can become thicker. The thicker your blood is, the harder your heart has to work to move it through your veins. That can increase your pulse rate and potentially lead to palpitations.

How many heart palpitations are too many?

Your palpitations are very frequent (more than 6 per minute or in groups of 3 or more) Your pulse is higher than 100 beats per minute (without other causes such as exercise or fever) You have risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Should I go to ER for arrhythmia?

An occasional abnormal heartbeat is not cause for serious concern. However, if symptoms last for long periods of time, are significant or come back time and again, it’s important to seek medical attention. “If you have fainting, swelling in your leg, shortness of breath—seek medical attention right away,” Dr.

Can an irritated vagus nerve cause heart palpitations?

Palpitation that is caused by vagus nerve stimulation rarely involves physical defects of the heart. Such palpitations are extra-cardiac in nature, that is, palpitation originating from outside the heart itself. Accordingly, vagus nerve induced palpitation is not evidence of an unhealthy heart muscle.

Can salt give you palpitations?

Eating spicy or rich foods can also trigger heart palpitations. High sodium foods can also cause palpitations. Many common foods, especially canned or processed foods, contain sodium as a preservative.

Is it OK to exercise with palpitations?

If there are no associated symptoms, there is usually no cause for concern. If, however, palpitations occur during or following exercise and are accompanied by shortness of breath, chest discomfort, severe lightheadedness or loss of consciousness, further evaluation is necessary.

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Heart palpitations are the sensation that your heart has skipped a beat or added an extra beat. It may also feel like your heart is racing, pounding, or fluttering. You may become overly aware of your heartbeat. This sensation can be felt in the neck, throat, or chest.

Can you physically feel heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations are the sensation that your heart is pounding, racing, or skipping beats (fluttering). It is normal to hear or feel your heart “pounding” as it beats faster when you exercise. You may feel it when you do any physical activity.

Is heart palpitations a symptom of Covid?

For people who have had COVID-19, lingering COVID-19 heart problems can complicate their recovery. Some of the symptoms common in coronavirus “long-haulers,” such as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and shortness of breath, may be due to heart problems — or, just from having been ill with COVID-19.

Why do I get heart palpitations when lying down?

Patients may ask, “Why does my heart beat fast when I lay down?” Most often palpitations are caused by the change in position of the body. When you lay down you compress the stomach and chest cavity together, putting pressure on the heart and blood flow and increasing circulation.

Why do I feel a flutter in my chest?

This fleeting feeling like your heart is fluttering is a called a heart palpitation, and most of the time it’s not cause for concern. Heart palpitations can be caused by anxiety, dehydration, a hard workout or if you’ve consumed caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or even some cold and cough medications.

What does it mean when you have heart palpitations all day?

Stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them. Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they’re usually harmless. In rare cases, they can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), that might require treatment.

How do you fix heart palpitations?

The following methods can help to reduce palpitations.

  1. Perform relaxation techniques. …
  2. Reduce or eliminate stimulant intake. …
  3. Stimulate the vagus nerve. …
  4. Keep electrolytes balanced. …
  5. Keep hydrated. …
  6. Avoid excessive alcohol use. …
  7. Exercise regularly.

Can anxiety give you palpitations?

“The fight-or-flight response speeds up your heart rate, so your body gets more blood flow,” explains Dr. Bibawy. “The increased blood flow gives you a burst of energy to fight or run from danger. That’s why many people notice palpitations when they’re scared, nervous or anxious — and it’s completely normal.

Should I go to ER for heart palpitations?

We recommend seeking emergency medical attention if heart palpitations have other physical symptoms such as: Dizziness & weakness. Lightheadedness. Fainting.

What can give you palpitations?

Common triggers of heart palpitations include:

  • strenuous exercise.
  • not getting enough sleep.
  • drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks.
  • alcohol.
  • smoking.
  • illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, ecstasy and cannabis.
  • rich or spicy foods.

Can salt give you palpitations?

Eating spicy or rich foods can also trigger heart palpitations. High sodium foods can also cause palpitations. Many common foods, especially canned or processed foods, contain sodium as a preservative.

Why does my heart miss a beat?

Lifestyle triggers

Strenuous exercise, not getting enough sleep, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol can all lead to heart palpitations. Smoking tobacco, using illicit drugs such as cocaine, or eating rich or spicy foods can also cause the heart to skip a beat.

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Can dehydration cause palpitations?

Dehydration can cause heart palpitations. That’s because your blood contains water, so when you become dehydrated, your blood can become thicker. The thicker your blood is, the harder your heart has to work to move it through your veins. That can increase your pulse rate and potentially lead to palpitations.

What is the best medication for palpitations?

Medications called beta blockers are the most commonly used type of drug to treat palpitations. These drugs slow the heart rate and control the electricity flowing through the heart. A medical procedure called an ablation can be performed by your cardiologist to help control palpitations from arrhythmias.

How long is too long for heart palpitations?

You should call your doctor if your heart palpitations last longer than a few seconds at a time or occur frequently. If you’re healthy, you don’t need to worry about brief heart palpitations that only happen every now and then.

How long does heart palpitations take to go away?

This sensation usually passes in a few seconds, but it might be a cause for concern if the heart palpations don’t go away on their own. Heart palpitations can occur when you are active or when you are resting.

How do I know if I have heart problems or anxiety?

People who suffer from panic attacks often say their acute anxiety feels like a heart attack, as many of the symptoms can seem the same. Both conditions can be accompanied by shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, sweating, a pounding heartbeat, dizziness, and even physical weakness or temporary paralysis.

What does anxiety feel like in your chest?

Usually, the symptoms of anxiety chest pain entail a persistent chest aching, sharp/shooting pain, muscle twitch or spasm on the chest. People may feel tension, numbness, stabbing, or a burning sensation in their chest area, lasting for 5 to 10 seconds.

How do I stop anxiety chest tightness?

Home remedies

  1. Practice deep breathing. Focused, deep breaths can calm both your mind and your body. …
  2. Take stock of the situation. Accept your feelings of anxiety, recognize them, and then work through putting them in perspective. …
  3. Picture a beautiful scene. …
  4. Use a relaxation app. …
  5. Be proactive about your physical health.

What is the difference between heart palpitations and arrhythmia?

A heart that beats irregularly, too fast or too slow is experiencing an arrhythmia. A palpitation is a short-lived feeling like a feeling of a heart racing or of a short-lived arrhythmia.

What is the best position to sleep in for your heart?

Sleeping on your right side may be the best option for people with heart failure. Although some people think sleeping on your right side could restrict blood flow back to the heart, there’s not enough evidence to prove that it’s harmful.

Do bananas lower heart rate?

Potassium can help regulate your heart rate and can reduce the effect that sodium has on your blood pressure. Foods like bananas, melons, oranges, apricots, avocados, dairy, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tuna, salmon, beans, nuts, and seeds have lots of potassium.

Can bananas cause heart palpitations?

Bananas (as well as oranges, leafy greens and certain salt substitutes) are high in potassium. Too much potassium can cause an irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations.

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